Folks, I have been very interested by the reported purple finch sightings, as I have not been able to attract them to feeders, either in Ohio or SE Michigan, despite good numbers seen at nearby feeders on occasion. My feeder setup consists of two feeding stations about 100 feet apart, each with separate thistle, sunflower, millet and water supplies. The feeders usually attract house and goldfinches in good numbers, titmice, chickadees, nuthatches (though no red-breasted ones yet here in Ohio) cardinals, jays, chipping, song, and fox sparrows. The Brecksville yard list broke 50 this week with common nighthawks, and I just got here this year. Any special tips for attracting purple finches or pine siskins, two species I have always wanted and never gotten? I have a few Norway Spruces in with the silver maples. Also, does the appearance of red-breasted nuthatches and purple finches now imply anything about grosbeaks and crossbills later this winter? best, Bill ______________________________________________________________________ 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]