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Goldfinch concentrations
At 02:34 PM 4/2/00 -0400, Josh Rose wrote:
>Along KoR Creek south of the heronry, I heard what sounded
>like a flock of over a hundred American Goldfinches, but could not see
>them to figure out why they were so concentrated; must have been a good
>food source over there somewhere.
I have seen huge concentrations of Goldfinches like this for the past few
springs. A hundred in a large deciduous tree.
When I've looked at them, they seem to be socializing more than eating --
flying back and forth, making lots of noise, etc. What are they
doing? Planning a mass orgy? Talking about group selection issues? I
don't know.
However, I personally don't remember seeing these concentrations *in the
old days.* Five years ago? Yes. Ten years ago? I don't think so. I
wonder if there is a correlation with the amount of thistle (niger) seed
being available at bird feeding stations. Hmm!
Norm
***********************************************
Norman Budnitz 919-684-3592 (day)
nbudnitz@duke.edu 919-383-0553 (eve)
919-684-6168 (fax)
(work) Department of Zoology, Duke University
Box 90325, Durham NC 27708-0325
(home) 4115 Garrett Drive, Durham NC 27705-8005
PROGRESS: the victory of laughter over dogma.
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