[birding] Where are the goldfinches?

[Joel Geier]

Hi all,

Thanks to Will, Hendrik, Jeff, Mark, and Randy for replies on this
question.

It sounds like Lesser Goldfinches are still around their usual haunts
though in somewhat reduced numbers in some places, while American
Goldfinch numbers are greatly reduced from recent winters. A check of
reports on www.birdnotes.net shows a similar pattern -- there are more
counts showing Lessers than counts showing Americans, in western/central
Oregon.

Ordinarily there should be one or two flocks of 100 or more American
Goldfinches on E.E. Wilson Wildlife area, and similarly big flocks at
Luckiamute State Natural Area. I've only seen 2 or 3 in these places
since the start of the year. Since these birds can be nomadic in winter,
I wonder where they've gone to this year. I didn't see any particularly
big flocks in California's central valley a couple of weeks ago. 

Happy birding,
Joel

--
Joel Geier
Camp Adair area