Outdoor Ontario

Birding Reports => Backyard Birding => Topic started by: Howieh on March 25, 2011, 07:06:03 PM

Title: First goldfinches of the year
Post by: Howieh on March 25, 2011, 07:06:03 PM

Ok, you must think Howie has gone off the deep end when he gets excited about seeing goldfinches but things have been so quiet around here that I sometimes think I live in a no-fly zone! I was actually watching the lone ranger (a solitary robin that has been hanging around the cherry tree in front of my house) when I spotted a pair of goldfinches gorging themselves on what remains of last years berries. Interestingly enough both birds appear to be in full breeding plumage; is that unusual for this early in the year?

I just looked out the window in time to see a robin go after a male cardinal who was foraging(?) for food in the last remaining snow patch in my back yard (I wasn't kidding about the no-fly zone!). I finally set up some low perches so I'm ready for the white crowned and white throated sparrows that have shown up in early May the last couple of years.

Title:
Post by: thouc on March 25, 2011, 10:15:56 PM

I think it's pretty early for Goldfinches in breeding plumage. The ones I have seen the last few days have all been pretty dull, maybe just a tinge of more yellow than the winter plumage.

Title:
Post by: Kin Lau on March 25, 2011, 10:35:19 PM

I have about a dozen Goldfinches coming to my feeders btwn the Redpolls, and out of the dozen, 2 or 3 are bright yellow, one is almost in complete breeding plumage. I have a few bright individuals at least 3 weeks now.

Title: Still winter plumage
Post by: Howieh on March 26, 2011, 11:40:43 AM

I took several shots with my SX210 and I just reviewed them on camera. I think the low (golden?) sun made the plumage seem more uniformly yellow than it really was and since I was shooting upwards the deep blue sky was also a factor. Some of the shots are actually pretty good; I'll post a couple when I finally get around to unloading the camera. I was looking out a few minutes ago and there were a couple of redpolls in my backyard but they took off before I could get any shots; very disappointing because I don't get many here.

Title: Gold finch's plumage changing
Post by: Napper on March 26, 2011, 05:20:23 PM

There is at least one Gold finch starting to change plumage here at our feeders
Milton

see link

http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album ... 0_1?full=1 (http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album09/DSC_1660_1?full=1)

 
Napper  :lol:

Title: Goldfinches
Post by: Margaret on March 30, 2011, 10:03:16 PM

Hi folks from Brampton
Once again I have managed to keep the finches all winter. For sure I have 3 turning quite yellow.
M and F Cardinals have also stayed thro' winter.
Less Juncos now but more chickadees.
Have not spotted the white crowned, or white throated, sparrows yet.
Next week is birders' paradise, Florida, so hope to spot some treats!

Title:
Post by: Rob'in'To on April 01, 2011, 10:21:53 AM

Some of my Goldfinches are starting to turn.  They are rather patchy.  Last I took photos of the visiting flock weekly from April until June and watched the transformation.  It was pretty cool!

Title: Gold finch's plumage
Post by: Napper on April 09, 2011, 12:52:51 PM

A couple of gold finch's that are Nearing Breeding Plumage here in Milton

April 9,2011



http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album ... 4_1?full=1 (http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album09/DSC_1754_1?full=1)

http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album ... 1_1?full=1 (http://outdoorontario.net/Gallery/album09/DSC_1731_1?full=1)


Napper :)