Hello all The conditions in NW Ontario--where most likely the Minnesota northern finches come from as well as Manitoba-- normally differ from those in the NE parts of Ontario. For example, on a trip in the fall of 2005, I noted that mountain ash berries were abundant around the north edge of Lake Superior, while the reports from those parts that supply southern Ontario with winter finches indicated almost nonexistent supplies. I even got to observe Herring and Ring-billed Gulls hovering to pluck the berries! The Ontario forecast for the winter of 2005-06 definitely did not apply to SE Manitoba--we got very few winter finches.
This year is different in SE Manitoba. Judging by the numbers and early arrival of Redpolls--mostly Common but also some Hoaries--the birch seed crop north of us must be bad. We've also had early and even urban Pine Grosbeaks. So Minnesota may get good winter finching this winter. Liis Veelma Winnipeg, MB
