A Finch Irruption Means More Birds at our Feeders This Winter!
Every couple of years with the arrival of autumn a significant number of finch species and non-finch species move south of their normal ranges in search of food. This is known as a Winter Finch Irruption and, according to the Finch Research Network, we should be seeing a good number of these birds wintering here in Massachusetts as well as states to our south.
Several of our friends have been reporting seeing irruption birds in their yards and at their feeders. Our friend Natalie has been seeing Red-breasted Nuthatches and shared this gorgeous photo with us. Our friend Donna had Red-Crossbills at her WBU TreeScape Window Feeder eating Bugs & Bits™ (suet nuggets and dried mealworms) and Jim, from the Woburn store, saw two Evening Grosbeaks fly over the parking lot!
Here is a list of the awesome birds expected to move into Massachusetts this irruption season and the foods that they will eat at our feeders:
FINCH SPECIES
Pine and Evening Grosbeaks – black-oil sunflower seeds, sunflower chips, safflower, Bark Butter® products
Blue Jays – black-oil sunflower seeds, sunflower chips, peanuts in shell, peanut splits, Bark Butter® products
Although Blue Jays are common in our area, large groups from the north are moving through. A few weeks ago, I had a group of at least 30 fill the trees in my backyard before flying off, not to be seen again.
