Date: 10/23/26 9:57 pm From: monique slipher via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: Re: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills Moving Around
Here on the Palouse we too have had LOTS of Red Crossbill activity this whole past month, primarily the Ponderosa (Type 2) that we usually get mostly, but also some Douglas Fir (Type 4) birds calling. I live right in town, and have never heard so many Ponderosa Crossbills fly over my neighborhood as this fall - from a few birds to small flocks pretty much daily. A couple weeks ago I watched a mixed gang of half-dozen each Crossbills and Pine Siskins tearing into the abundant cones at the top of a Colorado Blue Spruce on the east side of the WSU campus - the cone scales were literally flying everywhere as they ripped them off to reach the seeds! Cheers, Monique Slipher Pullman WA ________________________________ From: Doug Ward Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2026 5:00 AM To: <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: Re: [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.
