Richard wrote:

>It's been interesting glancing over the CBC reports that have been posted on
>tweeters. Especially I note with regards to crossbills and lack thereof
>around the PNW this winter, it seems to be an 'off year' for White-winged.
>After last winter's major invasion in the Okanogan, there seem to be none up
>there nor further north in interior BC as noted in Dick Cannings reports.
>Even Red Crossbills seem to be more scarce than usual which seems a little
>odd. Other than maybe the 'normal' scattering of Pine Grosbeaks here and
>there, 'winter finches' in general seem to be way down over the entire area.

I would agree with your summation, Richard. Certainly here in central BC, normal
winter visitors such as Pine Grosbeaks and redpolls are down in numbers from the
longterm average. I was up in far northern BC in November and these two species
were everywhere so I guess they just haven't seen fit to come south this year in
big numbers. This may have changed in the past couple of weeks, though, since we
have had about two feet of snow since our CBC on Dec. 20! And great to have you
back by the way.


---------------------------
Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jbowling at direct.ca