Feature Article February 20, 2003
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Evening grosbeaksWhere are the Evening Grosbeaks this winter? That is a question many people with bird feeders are asking. How often in past winters have we had a flock of these noisy, gregarious birds descend on a feeder and quickly strip it of the food that is there, but not this winter - yet. Evening Grosbeaks used to be considered a western species, but in recent years they have extended their breeding range east, and now breed across Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. They will nest in either coniferous or deciduous trees, usually up fairly high, but well concealed in heavy foliage, where the female will incubate the eggs, while the male feeds her on the nest. The hatchlings are fed by both parents and will leave the nest in about two weeks, and then will join the flock. The Evening Grosbeaks like the larva of the spruce budworm, a serious pest in softwood forests, and their appetite for these insects make them beneficial for our forests and the forest industry. These birds are very sociable and will form large flocks, that will feed and roost together, even during breeding season. When they descend on your feeder, their sociability changes to belligerence as they vie for the best feeding spots and best seeds. While in the wild they eat seeds, berries, small apples, and insects, at feeders they prefer the black sunflower and will quickly consume large quantities, feeding both on the feeders and on the ground. But if disturbed, the flock is easily frightened off. Some winters large irruptions (movements outside normal ranges) of the grosbeaks occur, depending primarily on the production of tree seeds. Trees produce seeds in cycles, with each tree species having a specific cycle. Natural production of large numbers of cones occur in some years with very few cones in others, and weather can also affect seed production. If seed stores are abundant because of large cone production, the grosbeaks will remain or move into those areas of abundance. A lack of cones will force the birds to move, usually south, in the fall looking for food. Some years the northerly seed stores are sufficient until late in the winter, but when the supply runs out, the birds start moving - looking for sunflower-stocked feeders! A prediction in early fall of 2002 was that because of good cone production in Ontario and Quebec there would be even numbers of grosbeaks throughout the area. The birds must have known something the predictor did not, as they just have not been present. BUT I now have a report of 1 (one, only) Evening Grosbeak coming to a feeder on Canonto Road on January 30. Have the birds consumed the crop of seeds where they have been and are looking for a better feeding area? Is this a scout to see if we have our feeders well stocked? Will we have a late winter irruption of these greedy birds? And will the Redpolls, Siskins, and other Finches also appear?
Observations: More reports of American Robins - Sue Munro of Maberly had one on January 24, and there are a number of reports from areas to the east. Evelyn Lloyd of Northbrook, had an early arrival - a Red-winged Blackbird on January 28 - it really is out of season. Please phone and let me know what you have seen. Jean Griffin, 268-2518.
