Winter 2019-2020 is shaping up to be a season where the Northwoods will not be filled with very many of our favorite birds. Apparently the available food even further north in the Boreal Forests of Canada is excellent … with huge pine cone crops and lots of Mountain Ash berries. Briefly stated, there is very little reason for the winter finches to push down into northern Minnesota in significant numbers. Normally by this point in November, I have started to see Common Redpolls, Pine Grosbeaks, and Bohemian Waxwings. Zippo, and my experience is not unusual. Last weekend while in Grand Marais (100 miles up the North Shore of Lake Superior) I did not see a single bird in the huge number of Mountain Ash trees present in that town. Here is some Cornell eBird data from November 2018, and this year. Although it is only the 17th of November, the sightings are way low.
Common Redpolls (November 2018 … then November 2019 data)
Pine Grosbeaks (November 2018 … then November 2019 data)
Bohemian Waxwings (November 2018 … then November 2019 data)
While my migrant sights are way down, I am still seeing some nice birds, including this Canada Jay and Ruffed Grouse (Sax-Zim Bog two days ago)
You accidentally added the redpoll chart for Nov 2018 insted of the pine grosbeak. The great grey owl pics were so fine.
Oops … thanks. I will replace with correct chart.