Finches of Winter 2011-2012
Thursday, 16 February, 2012
Each fall, Ron Pittaway of the Ontario Federation of Ornithologists publishes the finch forecast which predicts the movements of these seed-eaters for the upcoming winter season. The forecast is based on the availability of seed crops in the boreal forest and whether or not the finches will be moving south to find food. Of course, naturalists, winter bird listers and bird photographers are always anxious to see these colourful birds in each winter. This winter of 2011-2012 has not been a flight year and the majority of finches have remained in the boreal forest regions with only small numbers being sighted.
Since the finches stayed north this year, I had little choice but go to them. I am forever grateful to one of my best buddies, who is also an enthusiast birder, that lives in the boreal region of Ontario. We paid a visit this past January and I was very fortunate to have seen and captured a few precious images of these vibrant denizens of the north.
Perhaps you may even see one or more of these images gracing the calendar of 2012-2013!
Common Redpoll - Wawa, ON
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Pine Grosbeak - Wawa, ON
Pine Grosbeak, female - Wawa, ON
The Pine Grosbeak is one of the larger finches and resides in Northern Canada, northern Eurasia and south into the mountains of the western Canada and the US. This beauty will irregularly move south in search of food and is considered one of the rarest winter finches.
The Crossbills are especially unique finches which are mainly dependent on seed crops to survive and their nomadic lifestyle causes them to wander throughout the boreal forest. Their unique bill allows them efficiently access the seeds within spruce, pine and tamarack cones. They are a communal bird travelling in groups and constantly communicate with each other with a variety of chirps, warbles and cheeps. A fun fact: My first DSLR combo was the Canon 50D with the 100-400mm lens. The first bird that I took images of was a White-winged Crossbill and from then on, I was hooked.
White-winged Crossbill, male - Wawa, ON
Red Crossbill, female - Algonquin Prov. Park, ON
Red Crossbill, male - Algonquin Prov. Park, ON
note to self: must get better image!
As we searched Michipicoten Township for finches, we could not miss the other non-seed eaters that were present as well including the Bald Eagles and a beautiful Northern Shrike.
Juvenile Bald Eagle, Michipicoten Twp. ON
Bald Eagles, Michipicoten Twp. ON
Northern Shrike, Michipicoten Twp. ON
