I saw the Redpoll this morning, and noticed Red-bellied Woodpeckers also
flying around with Gum balls in their bills.

James Muller

On Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 10:13 PM Steve Jones <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ...makes me want to plant sweet gums. 😁
>
> On Jan 31, 2018 9:09 PM, "Amy Downing" <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > We look for Red Crossbills, Pine Siskins, and and all finches in the
> ample
> > supply of Sweet Gum in NW Ohio—Hancock County.
> >
> > > On Jan 31, 2018, at 7:12 PM, James Muller <
> [log in to unmask]>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I believe there were posts here or on Facebook about Red Crossbills
> > feeding
> > > in gum trees as well.
> > >
> > > James Muller
> > >
> > > On Wed, Jan 31, 2018, 7:10 PM Joseph Lautenbach <
> > [log in to unmask]>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hi All,
> > >>
> > >> I had the day off from work, so I went to Delaware SP and surrounding
> > area
> > >> this morning. While I was there I encountered the previously reported
> > >> Common Redpoll (at least 2), Pine Siskins (at least 6), and very large
> > >> flock of American Goldfinch (~200). It was fascinating watching these
> > birds
> > >> forage in the sweetgums, I watched them for 30 or 40 minutes. I
> recently
> > >> moved to Ohio from further north and had no idea that sweetgums
> > provided a
> > >> valuable food source. I thought it was very interesting to see
> northern
> > >> species like redpolls and siskins foraging on a relatively southern
> tree
> > >> species. I was also curious as to whether the finches were drawn to
> the
> > >> sweetgums because of quality or quantity.
> > >>
> > >> Once I got home, I tried to do a little research on food quality of
> > >> sweetgums. I was able find a manuscript focused on pen-reared quail
> food
> > >> preferences (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1945). In the manuscript,
> > they
> > >> discuss protein and fat levels of various wild food sources. Sweetgums
> > >> average almost 15% crude protein, a pretty high content, not as high
> as
> > >> other species tested, but in the upper tier of native species
> evaluated
> > in
> > >> the study. Given the number of sweet gum trees in the area and the
> > >> relatively high nutritional value, it is no wonder there are so many
> > >> finches there. I would have to assume that sweetgums may be difficult
> > for
> > >> other species to access.
> > >>
> > >> The whole time I was there, the only other species I saw foraging on
> > >> sweetgum was the Carolina Chickadee. I would be curious to hear what
> > other
> > >> species people have observed foraging on sweetgums (specifically on
> the
> > >> seeds, I would imagine woodpeckers would forage on decaying and dying
> > trees
> > >> for insects etc.), as well as more information on the value of
> > sweetgums as
> > >> a food resource. I'm new to Ohio, so I don't have a ton of experience
> > with
> > >> sweetgum, any information would be interesting to me.
> > >>
> > >> I checked other sweetgums in the state park for finches, but did not
> see
> > >> any today. The Sweetgum picnic area was a little more sheltered from
> the
> > >> wind than the other other areas I saw lots of sweetgums. Given the
> > strong
> > >> winds today, perhaps all the finches were concentrated in the picnic
> > area
> > >> to avoid wind. On a less windy day the finch flock may disperse more
> to
> > >> take advantage of all the sweet gums planted throughout the park.
> > >>
> > >> I also saw the northern shrike that was previously reported along
> > Panhandle
> > >> Road at the Delaware Wildlife Area. It was great to see some northern
> > birds
> > >> today.
> > >>
> > >> Best,
> > >>
> > >> Joseph Lautenbach
> > >> Delaware, OH
> > >>
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