ANTICIPATING A PINE SISKIN

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ANTICIPATING A PINE SISKIN

Once we are into November, watching the thistle feeders looses some fascination for me. Gone are the eye-catching, bright and beautiful American Goldfinches of spring and summer. Oh, not really ‘gone’, but having transformed from golden yellow and black to drab olive and black, they are not nearly so conspicuous or pleasing, at least to my way of thinking.

Thankfully, while they may have lost their bright plumage, the molting process does not affect their songs and calls. Through fall and winters cold temperatures, chilling rains and no matter how much snow piles up, I will still hear the sweet cheery notes as they faithfully come and go at the feeders.

The saving grace and a very good reason to continue to keep an eye on the thistle feeders is the possibility of another winter visitor who, like goldfinches, is very fond of thistle seed. In Ohio, the most likely prospect is the Pine Siskin, which often flocks with American Goldfinches. Many winters we have only a few spotty reports of siskins at Ohio feeders. This year however, I’ve received numerous reports of pine siskins in several areas of the state.

In my desire to add a siskin to my yard list, I am dashing to check feeders at regular intervals throughout the day, scrutinizing each bird in the goldfinch flock and hoping to find one or two birds with prominent, fine streaking and conspicuous yellow feathers in tail and wings. Wish me luck!
Good birding!

Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell

To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com

Posted by Marjie Gemmell