Curious to know if anyone else is seeing more Black Rosy-Finches than usual. Over the previous 20-25 winters we’ve recorded mixed flocks of Black and Grey-crowned RFs in C. Idaho having an average ratio of 1 Black to 40 G-c. Historic ratios form a classic bell-shaped curve with 1 s.d. ranging from 1:20 to 1:60.

This year we’re tallying slightly lower daily totals but the ratio of Black to G-c RF has greatly increased. During the past several days our high (at-one-time) counts show ratios of Black to G-c RF ranging between 1:2 and 1:5 with as many as 14 Black RF at one time. Is anyone else feeding and/or seeing more Black RF than usual?

Blue Jay still visiting. Seeing a subtle change in House Finches & Am Goldfinches with both getting a bit more color. And, the 2 Harris’ Sparrows are each getting more black coloration to throat area.

Pine Siskins are emptying the thistle feeder twice a day. A few more Am Robin’s appear each day, Townsend’s Solitaires still present & Red-winged Blackbird males are arriving. A noticable change from previous winters is a lack of DE Juncos. The most I see at one time is 5. Big difference from past years.

Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot