EBird bar charts for Montgomery County, a pretty typical piedmont
county, show Pine Siskins, Purple Finches, and WT Sparrows all following
a similar pattern--all sticking around (or moving through) through
mid-May, and not being around after that--though there a few reports of
WTSP up to the end of May. So I don't think there is anything weird
about this spring. Think the only thing that is different is that it was
a very good year for Siskins and Purple Finches--we usually don't have
so many in winter either. That good year is carrying over to spring as
well--which makes perfect sense. If there are more birds wintering there
will be more returning north during migration.
Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, MD
On 4/29/2013 9:14 AM, Warblerick wrote:
> On Monday, April 29, 2013 8:51:09 AM UTC-4, Frank Boyle wrote:
>> I just checked my version of the "Yellow Book", from 1996 (is there even an updated version?) and although Purple Finches, Pine Siskins and late White-throated Sparrows might seem unusual for almost May, they are listed as occurring well into May.
>>
>>
>>
>> Frank Boyle
>>
>> Rohrersville, MD
>>
> Frank,
> I agree that White-throated Sparrows typically occur, though in dwindling numbers, right through mid-may or around the time of May Count. My database and time spent as a May count compiler confirms this. Pine Siskins and Purple Finches I think of as more an April occurence, though I haven't checked my database. I have at least 2 Pine Siskins feeding right now, in the rain, on one of my new feeders. Weird spring; yes.
>
> Rick Sussman
> Woodbine,MD
>
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