Greetings -

All this talk about Purple Finches has been quite interesting. This
year I've had an unusual number in my forest and yard and at my feeders
in northwest Thurston County. Indeed, in recent days they (plus some
Black-headed Grosbeak) have been inhaling about a liter of black oil
sunflower seed a day. Curious, I went back and read my field journals
from past years.

I moved to my current place in 1991. It was 2 March 2002 before I saw
my first Purple Finch here.

After that one sighting, it was 20 March 2005 until I saw another; one
or two were here for a few days. Periodically, through July, I'd see
one or two at the feeders.

In 2006, a number were here off & on from late June through early
August, seemingly two pair.

In 2007 Purple Finch were here from mid-February through September,
again seemingly two pair. In mid-May I began seeing apparent juveniles;
this continued through late July. Sightings in August and September
were few.

This year I began seeing them in late March, up to 4 males and 6
females at a time. The number seen at any time varied with the weather
through April and May. On 20 May I saw a male feeding a juvenile; the
previous two weeks I suspected I was seeing juveniles: there were
increasing numbers of Purple Finch who appeared to be be inept at
flying and at darting through the squirrel guard to access the
sunflower seed tube feeder. Now, the juveniles have mastered flight,
and they are no longer obvious.

Be interesting to see what happens next year.

Doug

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Douglas Canning
Olympia, Washington
dcanning at zhonka.net
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