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Evening Grosbeak Report 11-27-2018
With predictions of major irruptive activity this winter, I've decided to follow the migration of one species in particular that may travel as far south this winter as Georgia; the Evening Grosbeak. This species is known to migrate far south only during years that have bad pine seed crops (like this year!) I wanted to begin a short blog series as the winter progresses tracking the southern movement of this typical northern species.
Blythe Birdwatchers had the opportunity to see Evening Grosbeaks for the first time in Grayling, Michigan at Hartwick Pines State Park. At that time, we were there on a mission to see the rare Kirtland's Warbler that nests in the nearby young jack pine fields. It was a brisk June morning as the sun rose, with temperatures only in the upper 40's-lower 50's to begin the day. After venturing out and seeing the community of Kirtland's Warblers, we headed back to the park's nature center. There, at the huge glass windows, was a small family of Evening Grosbeaks. An adult male and female constantly flew back and forth from the seed feeders provided by the nature center to the nearby tree limbs, feeding seeds to their begging young. This small family didn't seem to mind the many human spectators watching as they carried on their normal daily activities.
This winter, we are eagerly anticipating a deep south migration to once again observe this beautiful yellow grosbeak! Using records provided by our favorite birding website, ebird, we will post the range map of where current sightings have been reported. Hopefully, we will begin to see a southern movement trend as the winter goes on, with Evening Grosbeaks arriving maybe as far south as Georgia late this winter (Jan-Feb?) For this last week in November, here is what the range map looks like for the eastern portion of the United States:
The purple spots designate current Evening Grosbeak sightings for this year. Look for an update in about one week. Will there be Evening Grosbeaks at your feeders by then? Check back here or check out the Evening Grosbeak page on ebird. Make sure to set the date range on the map set to "current year" to see the most up to date migration progress.
You can also participate as a citizen scientist in Cornell's Project Feederwatch; a program that runs annually from November thru April. For a small fee (about $18) you get access to a database to record sightings at your bird feeders. You participate for two-day increments each week throughout the winter as much or as little as you want. The information is used in a number of ways by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. For more information, check out their website. This will be the 3rd year Blythe Birdwatchers has participated!
In between birding this winter, make sure to check out the new Holiday Collection at Timber Tiger Treasures! Awesome, unique gifts for the bird-lover in your life (and featuring my own bird artwork!)
~Megan at Blythe Birdwatchers
