This weekend at Jug Bay we had no finch explosions or other mishaps.  I have 
had about 4-8 goldfinches around all fall and they did not leave, or get joined 
by any migrants.  They are hardly eating any thistle, but focus on black-oil 
sunflower and safflower seed instead.  They do eat some thistle but I have 
only refilled it once since I started feeding this fall.  There have been about 8 
house finches as well, which generally are eating the same food as the 
goldfinches.  I keep trying to imagine one of the female housefinches is an 
unusually large siskin!  I'll keep looking but I think the invasion is concentrated 
in the Piedmont.

I've been looking for the Brewers Blackbird but have not seen it again; a one 
day wonder.  The Rustys are here though; if they're scarce elsewhere they 
must all be around here.  There have been about 30+ around since 
Wednesday, but today they were joined by a big flock.  At 4 this afternoon I 
was playing with the kids out front and I heard them calling.  I looked up and 
two bare trees were loaded with Rustys.  I counted 93 and was about 3/4 
through the flock when they moved down to the river and joined the other 
flock.  I estimate there were about 140-150 here!  I've never seen that many.

Yesterday I had our first brown creeper of the fall at the suet feeder, along 
with a sapsucker, and today I saw a Bonapartes Gull out back.  This morning 
there were about 150 robins in the yard, chasing each other all around and 
wreaking havoc on the peace and quiet!  Fun!

Cheers-
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD