I'll second Dean's observations. Until two weekends ago, I had not seen
Pine Siskins in my yards since fall; then they descended on the feeders
in a horde
(> 20 birds) while a secondary flock (even bigger) hung out in some
alders
waiting for a turn. The latter must have lost patience, because they
left before
having a turn at the table.

In my several years in this region, I have observed that siskins are
either present
in good numbers (during non-breeding times) or altogether missing from a
given locale. In fact, don't most finches behave this way? Meaning they
use up
a food resource (in the natural setting), and move on (even if just a
mile or two)?

Another group like this are the goldfinches. However, house finches seem
to
make regular rounds on a daily basis. I'll see them show up about 10am
pretty
regularly...

Michael Patrick
(206) 743-8204
mpatrick at eldec.com

>----------
>From: Burton Guttman[SMTP:guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu]
>Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 1997 4:40 PM
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Subject: Re: Pine Siskins
>
>
>On Tue, 4 Feb 1997, Dean Drugge wrote:
>
>> Hi Everybody! Dean told us that some people have been asking where the
>> PISIs(Pine Siskins) are.
>
>Why do you think they were missing? On the Olympia CBC we saw the usual
>large flocks in December. I haven't been out birding much, but I don't
>think this winter has been unusual.
>
>Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
>The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
>Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794
>
>Reunite Gondwanaland!
>
>