Have you read the Winter Finch Forecast by Tyler Hoar? Each year the forecast attempts to predict the movements of nomadic winter finches including predicts far south they may travel. (Leading to great excitement for birders!) Predictions are based on the abundance of food during the breeding season, and the amount of available winter food. According to this winter’s Finch Forecast it is predicted to be a good “finch” year! Species predicted to have bigger than normal movements include redpolls, crossbills, grosbeaks, and Pine Siskins. The changing food crops in the Boreal Forests also influence some birds we in Vermont consider permanent residents, including Blue Jays and Red-breasted Nuthatches. These species will move en-masse to find food, and it is predicted that the northeast will see more of them this year than previous years as they move south from Canada in search of food. Red-breasted Nuthatches have been moving through in large numbers for the past few weeks. Have you seen any? This carving was completed by Bob Spear in 1992 and took 35 hours. #winterFinchForcast #tylerhoar #redbreastednuthatch #bobspearcarving #birdsofvermontmuseum #winterbirding (at Birds of Vermont Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkS5fmLOrPV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
