David and all,

Here on Bainbridge Island and along with a good many spots in Kitsap
County, Purple Finch are actually quite common all through the seasons.
The BNA account as riparian being one of their preferred associations
would match my experience with them. Over here, they are not a bird of
mature coniferous forests. But, unlike King County, Kitsap County does
not have river bottoms with stands of Black Cottonwood and Oregon Oak (I
am aware of only one record of Red-eyed Vireo :-( ). I find Purple
Finches most often associating with Pacific Willow and to a lesser
extent Red Alder. Across the road from my yard is a small stream with a
very thick and healthy stand of willow. I can't recall a time when I
could not find Purple Finches in this stand.

Happy 4th,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, Washington
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com