What birds were they? Most songbirds have already gone south, but there are still flocks around, mostly Grackles and Starlings. Some are migrants going south, while some birds that spend the summer north of us move only so far, and spend the winter here. Others are more erratic, and wander in search of food where they can get it. This year already looks to be "irruptive", with various finches that usually winter in northern conifer forest being forced south by seed failure or drought or who-knows-what. Birders down here love it when that happens, but it's not so good for the birds. Get some binoculars and a field guide, and figure out what you're looking at; even flocks of uninspiring birds often include a few unusual species.
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- alex 12-07-2001 9:27 pm