We're deep enough into winter now (at least the sunsets don't get any later) that we have a fairly good idea of our winter crowd for another season. It seems like a good time to review that roll call of our winter bird buddies. Today's spotlight is on the fickle and voracious American Goldfinch. This species is a year-rounder in my neck of the woods but that does not translate to year-round in our yard. Hardly. Our goldfinch family group comes and goes at will and often won't return to the feeders for many weeks. I'm pretty much used to the idea that they pull this stunt only in the warm months. Reputable authorities tell me they'll "micro-migrate" to locations not far away. To some extent their absence is actually a welcome development. Goldfinches are greedy little devils and will conspire to clean feeders out of sunflower seed. I'm even near to consigning them to the same mental box as I do squirrels. But they are entertaining to watch especially on a cold, bleak, snowy day. They're currently AWOL. Time to return? We shall see!
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