Date: 10/21/26 10:51 am From: Doug Ward via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills Moving Around
Don't know about you, but we've seen a lot of RED CROSSBILL activity this past few weeks (Oct'26) around our place in Hayden (Kootenai Co., ID). Most have been "Ponderosa" (Type 2) Red Crossbills, but have also heard a number of "Douglas Fir" (Type 4) call types, and likely a small flock of "Hemlock" (Type 3) crossbills as well - missed getting a recording of these guys. The Ponderosa cone crop in our area is pretty slim this year, with Douglas Firs being only OK, so thinking these birds are on the hunt for a winter food crop somewhere. The ornamental spruces (mostly Blue, but some hybrids) in the region are fairly heavily laden, but haven't seen them being utilized yet - maybe a big year for "Hemlocks" and White-wingeds?!? Would be interested to hear what you are seeing in your area.
