The year's been off to a great start so far, and this morning's Penacook Survey set another record: 34 species is the highest January total ever (I'm now in its 16th year), solidly edging out the previous high of 32 (or only 31 for the first third of the month). On the downside, this is going to make it that much harder to get new records later this month - although there were a couple of things I missed. The highlights, as per the subject line, were winter finches., to whit:
6 Evening Grosbeaks along Fowler St. (second to last add for the walk)
8 Pine Grosbeaks in the Thirty Pines area
66 Common Redpolls (~65 at Murray Farms feeding in birches, but the light was not at all conducive for Hoary searching)
1 Red Crossbill flyover at Murray Farms (a somewhat reliable location for the last couple of months)
2 White-winged Crossbill flyovers (Bog Road and 30 Pines)
7 Pine Siskins along River Road
Only "regular" species missing was Purple Finch, and I haven't seen one in almost two weeks (there was a female at my feeder on either side of the Concord CBC).
Other highlights included the continued onslaught of RB Nuthatches (36 today) and my first Song Sparrow on the route since Nov 21.
Good birding!
Pam Hunt
Penacook
"The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those who have not viewed the world."
