Although Lewis’s woodpeckers (Melenerpes lewis) are not overly abundant here in Northeastern California, Leonard and I usually saw them several times each year. We eventually learned a few areas where they could usually be found. However, in the last couple … Continue reading
Pine siskins (Spinus pinus) are year-round residents here in Northeastern California. Yet because of their irruptive behavior (moves around erratically following fluctuating food supplies), pine siskins are not always common visitors. This small songbird with a sharp, pointed bill and … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
This fall Leonard and I are seeing birds in our yard (Modoc County CA) for the first time in forty years or birds that we have only seen once or twice before during those years. (Leonard especially keeps a very … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
The unusual, large irruption (irregular range expansion or population increase) of snowy owls on the East Coast this season has birders all “atwitter” and has made national headlines. While everyone was observing the snowy owls, Leonard and I noticed an … Continue reading
This gallery contains 6 photos.
The red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is so dependent on the seeds of pine cones for its survival that this member of the finch family breeds in the coniferous forests of boreal (northern) Canada and in the mountainous West. (Red Crossbills … Continue reading
This gallery contains 5 photos.
The evening grosbeaks (Coccothraustes vespertinus) are behaving differently this winter. Our usual pattern of evening grosbeak sightings are consistent with their irruptive (irregular) migratory behavior, which is often in response to food supply. They usually arrive in a flock each … Continue reading
On the same day that Leonard and I saw a merlin in our yard for the first time, and a single evening grosbeak, a irruptive species that always arrives in flocks, we also saw a small flock of cedar waxwings … Continue reading
