In a message dated 10/19/2008 11:27:26 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:
It was about 10 Pine Siskins, feeding on spruce cone seeds. The Spruce had
a very high number of cones this year and one side was literally covered with
cones. The Siskins were near the top (~40 feet) and nearly silent, except
for a very occasional soft peep.
I was looking up at them when suddenly a flock of birds dropped out of the
clear blue sky from out of sight, and in a few seconds had covered the tree!
It was a flock of Siskins, about 50 of them!! We have never had a big flock
here before, and I have not even seen this many anywhere. There were at
least 60 in total. I was watching them about a minute as they seemed to be
feeding in a frenzy, with much calling. It was very exciting. Then just as
suddenly they all got up and flew off toward the Patuxent River and out of sight.
Timing is everything!
COOL! We have a small stand of 4 spruces (of some sort) and I will now make
a point to keep an eye on them (they too are full of cones this year). Thanks
for the tip.
Rick Sussman
Woodbine,MD
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