So I wonder, if there seems to be an irruption, and/or early
migration and/or higher
number of birds coming further south - is that more about past and
current
weather/food conditions, or does it indicate a bad winter on the
way?  Or both?
I thought a mild winter was predicted?

Mary, Greene County

On Nov 2, 2007, at 9:06 PM, DANIEL WEBER wrote:

> With all of the reports and anticipation regarding the irruption, I
> thought that I might send an update from Athens.  I haven't been
> out birding in a while, but live adjacent to a substantial piece of
> mature oak/hickory forest.  I see and hear a nice variety of birds.
>
> To begin with, I have had at least 3 RBNU for nearly a month.  This
> is the first time that I have had the opportunity to observe this
> species.  They are bold and very active.  They only hit the
> sunflower feeders and ignore the suet so far.
>
> I have been anticipating the Pine Siskins and yesterday I had a
> single individual come in to the sunflower seeds.  it seemed
> skittish.  Today, I noticed at least 3 individuals-all associating
> with a flock of American Goldfinches.
>
> Dark eyed juncos are spotty so far, but I had a single bird arrive
> at least 3 weeks ago.  I was surprised to see one when the day time
> temperatures were still breaking 85 degrees.
>
> Other winter arrivals include Yellow Bellied Sapsucker, Golden
> Crowned kinglets, and Brown Creeper.
>
> Last, but not least was a Northern Harrier that I spied two weeks
> ago.  This is only the third NOHA that I have seen in southeast
> Ohio and the first that I have seen in Athens County.
>
> I am still changing my hummingbird feeder every couple of days, but
> there has been zero activity.  If anyone in the area is interested
> in the location of these sightings, please feel free to contact me.
>
> Dan Weber
> Athens, OH
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Climb to the top of the charts!  Play Star Shuffle:  the word
> scramble challenge with star power.
> http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?
> icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct
> ______________________________________________________________________
>
> Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
> Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
> Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at
> www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
>
> You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
> http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
> Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]

______________________________________________________________________

Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.

You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at:
http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS
Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]