There is no better way to start the new year than birding.
Sunday morning after surveying the Civic Club the LFP group drove out to The Northcreek Business Park. We started at the old Harris' Sparrow sight. it turned out to be the only place along the whole trail where there were any birds. The pond offered several species of ducks, GBH, RW Blackbird and a young eagle or an adult with a dirty face, we couldn't come to a consensus of opinion. The trees were alive with both Am. Goldfinch and Pine Siskins. In the brambles we found a variety of sparrows and House Finch.

Now to my question. We observed a dozen or so Goldfinch clinging to the brick wall of the NSD building. Two possible explanations for this behavior occurred to us. #1 they were basking in the heat radiating from the masonry #2 they were mining grit from the mortar between the bricks.
Are there any finch experts in Tweeter land that can shed light on this behavior?

Linda Phillips (on behalf of Jan, David, Jenny, Anna, Roger)
Kenmore