This updates the Winter Finch Forecast of October 16 regarding Red-breasted
Nuthatches. In that post I said, "A cone crop failure is indicated when
large numbers migrate south in late August and September. However, this
year only a small number of Red-breasted Nuthatches moved through southern
Ontario in September (I overlooked them - see below) and currently they are
scarce in Algonquin Park and the boreal forest of northeastern Ontario.
Where are they?" Several birders e-mailed me about a good flight this year.
Alan Wormington at Point Pelee said, "They have been very common here all
fall, and are still common." Jim Felley said, "There were a LOT of
sightings of Red-breasted Nuthatches in the mid-Atlantic states in early
September this year (including my back yard in the Washington DC area!).
Rudy Keller in eastern Pennsylvania said...."we're seeing the biggest
irruption in several years." Chris Fagyal in Minnesota said, "...Cone Crops
in Northern Minnesota along Lake Superior seemed very good...and
red-breasted nuthatches were abundant as well, seemingly singing at most
every stop where there were pines to be found...".
These reports indicate a generally poor cone crop (some exceptions) in
Eastern Canada and strengthen the forecast that, "There should be a
moderate to good flight of most (not all) winter finch species out of
Ontario's boreal forest this fall and winter."
I thank the many people who updated me with information on Red-breasted
Nuthatches.
Ron Pittaway
Ontario Field Ornithologists
Minden and Toronto ON
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
P.S. Currently there are good numbers of Black-capped Chickadees moving
west along Lake Ontario. A Boreal Chickadee was reported in Durham Region
east of Toronto last weekend.
