BirdCapeMay.org

In previous postings I mentioned the widespread movements of Red-breasted Nuthatches going on since mid-summer, and more local, recent flights of Purple Finches. More recently, out West, some Mountain Chickadees have been turning up in atypical/lowland locations. Forecasts of winter finch and related species movements in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada suggest that it might also be a very good late fall and winter for southward wandering Pine Grosbeaks, Evening Grosbeaks (if any still exist in the world!!; recent sighting already in West Virginia), and redpolls. Due to a food failure in Canada, Blue Jays are expected to have a major fall flight year in the East. Other possibilities for later irruptions southward in the East due to limited food supplies include Boreal Chickadee and Bohemian Waxwing.

--Paul Lehman