Date: 11/12/12 8:19 am
From: Gail B. Mackiernan %<3Ckatahdinss...>%3E <katahdinss...>
Subject: [MDBirding] large (common) finch flight at Brookside Gardens



Hi all,

Maybe this is a precursor to the oncoming strong cold front, but we arrived at Brookside Gardens rather late today to witness a major influx of common finches -- several flocks conservatively estimated at 30-35 House Finches (normally we see 4-5 on a visit) and about as many Goldfinches, all flying in to feed high in tulip poplars on the ripe cones. They were joined by Cardinals and I managed to see one Pine Siskin in with the other species. We did not see (or hear) any Purple Finches although some of the birds were hard to sort out being very high up and in the sun. There were also quite a few Yellow-rumps about, new this autumn at that site. Otherwise fairly quiet but we only stayed an hour.

Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper
Colesville, MD

Birds of interest:

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Brown Creeper 1
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 1
American Robin 35 several large flocks passing overhead
Yellow-rumped Warbler 10 most in one flock
House Finch 30-35 conservative estimate.
Pine Siskin 1 with goldfinches feeding in tulip poplar
American Goldfinch 25-30 again an estimate

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