Save Our Songbirds provides winter finch forecast

As fall bird migration tails off, local birders may not see their favorite songbirds for half of the year — but resident birds will remain in the area during the winter season.

While most migratory birds pass through the lower 48 states from early September through October, there are plenty of resident birds to enjoy and birds arriving from the farthest reaches of Canada in search of food.

“Birders eagerly await the Winter Finch Forecast and arrival of these nomadic visitors from the boreal forest,” says Ryan Brady, a DNR conservation biologist and bird expert. 

The forecast, from the Finch Research Network, uses on-the-ground observations of fruit and cone crops in Canada to determine the movement patterns of birds during winter. As crops vary annually, so do the densities of the birds that eat them. When crops are plentiful, the finches stay put. When crops are poor, birds move in search of food, sometimes bringing them to Wisconsin.

“This year’s forecast predicts a slower year overall as fruit and cone crops are plentiful north of Wisconsin,” Brady says. Redpolls, pine grosbeaks, and both crossbills are expected in low numbers. 

“Pine siskins and purple finches are expected in moderate numbers, while evening grosbeaks — always a fan favorite — could make another good showing as they did in 2020 and 2022.”

The first sign of these movements often unfolds in northern Wisconsin by late October and early November. Thus far, purple finch numbers have been most impressive, and some pine siskins have been found statewide. A few white-winged and red crossbills are moving around the northern half of the state. 

“True to forecast, redpolls and pine grosbeaks have been scarce at best so far. Unfortunately, the anticipated flight of evening grosbeaks has not materialized, though there is still time for that to change.” 

Read the full Winter Finch Forecast on the Finch Research Network’s website at https://finchnetwork.org/winter-finch-forecast-2024-25.

Attracting finches

Save Our Songbirds (SOS) says that following these tips can help draw finches to backyards:

• Plant native trees and shrubs that provide food, such as spruce, birch and viburnums

• Leave garden seeds like aster and coneflower

• Add a water feature, because a heavy diet of seeds or dehydrated fruits means finches need to drink more than most birds

• Offer quality bird seed, including black oil sunflower and thistle/nyjer. See more in DNR’s “10 Tips for Winter Bird Feeding” at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/birding.