A quick round in West Hartland today we had: 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering in small groups now unlike while breeding. Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen now in small groups here and there. Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such abundance of cones like there is up here in northern Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? Paul Carrier

Paul, For what it's worth, I was just noting to myself in the past week or so how thick the White Pine cones are in the Waterbury area. Then I was at Great Pond in Simsbury and we noticed the same thing. Of course any boreal conifer-seed-eating birds we might hope to see in winter will respond to the situation in the far north. But if Red Crossbills stage a flight this fall-winter, they should find plenty to eat around here. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrier Graphics" <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:21 PM Subject: [CT Birds] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW >A quick round in West Hartland today we had: > > 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering > in small groups now unlike while breeding. > > Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen > now in small groups here and there. > > Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging > from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such > abundance of cones like there is up here in northern > Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? > > Paul Carrier > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > >

Paul and Greg, White pines have a peak cone production every 3-5 years in order to prevent from over-predation from squirrels. From what I understand, the current theory is that the trees produce so many cones in these peak years, that the squirrels cannot possible eat all of the seeds, so the trees are able to reproduce adequately. -Kevin > From: ghanisek@rep-am.com > To: carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net > Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:29:01 -0400 > CC: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: [CT Birds] lots of cones > > Paul, > > For what it's worth, I was just noting to myself in the past week or so how > thick the White Pine cones are in the Waterbury area. Then I was at Great > Pond in Simsbury and we noticed the same thing. Of course any boreal > conifer-seed-eating birds we might hope to see in winter will respond to the > situation in the far north. But if Red Crossbills stage a flight this > fall-winter, they should find plenty to eat around here. > > Greg Hanisek > Waterbury > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Carrier Graphics" <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> > To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:21 PM > Subject: [CT Birds] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > > >A quick round in West Hartland today we had: > > > > 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > > > A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering > > in small groups now unlike while breeding. > > > > Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen > > now in small groups here and there. > > > > Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging > > from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such > > abundance of cones like there is up here in northern > > Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? > > > > Paul Carrier > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) > > for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > > For subscription information visit > > http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what you’re up to on Facebook. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_facebook:082009

Lots of cones here in our Harwinton yard as well. We were just talking about that. This list is great!! ~Carol Bauby, Harwinton Kevin Burgio wrote: > Paul and Greg, > > White pines have a peak cone production every 3-5 years in order to prevent from over-predation from squirrels. From what I understand, the current theory is that the trees produce so many cones in these peak years, that the squirrels cannot possible eat all of the seeds, so the trees are able to reproduce adequately. > > -Kevin > > >> From: ghanisek@rep-am.com >> To: carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net >> Date: Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:29:01 -0400 >> CC: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org >> Subject: [CT Birds] lots of cones >> >> Paul, >> >> For what it's worth, I was just noting to myself in the past week or so how >> thick the White Pine cones are in the Waterbury area. Then I was at Great >> Pond in Simsbury and we noticed the same thing. Of course any boreal >> conifer-seed-eating birds we might hope to see in winter will respond to the >> situation in the far north. But if Red Crossbills stage a flight this >> fall-winter, they should find plenty to eat around here. >> >> Greg Hanisek >> Waterbury >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Carrier Graphics" <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> >> To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> >> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:21 PM >> Subject: [CT Birds] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW >> >> >> >>> A quick round in West Hartland today we had: >>> >>> 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW >>> >>> A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering >>> in small groups now unlike while breeding. >>> >>> Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen >>> now in small groups here and there. >>> >>> Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging >>> from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such >>> abundance of cones like there is up here in northern >>> Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? >>> >>> Paul Carrier >>> _______________________________________________ >>> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) >>> for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. >>> For subscription information visit >>> http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. >> For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org >> > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what you're up to on Facebook. > http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_facebook:082009 > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.90/2361 - Release Date: 09/10/09 18:12:00 > >

It's not just here in southern New England.  This past spring while on my usual birding/photographing trips to the boreal forests in northwest Maine, the cone crop on the spruces etc there was very heavy.  Jim  The Fat RobinWild Bird and Nature Shop 3000 Whitney Ave.  Hamden, CT 06518 www.fatrobin.com 203-248-7068 Toll Free U.S.  1-866-Fat-Robin  Jim Zipp Bird Photography  www.JimZippPhotography.com ________________________________ From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> To: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 5:29:01 PM Subject: [CT Birds] lots of cones Paul, For what it's worth, I was just noting to myself in the past week or so how thick the White Pine cones are in the Waterbury area. Then I was at Great Pond in Simsbury and we noticed the same thing. Of course any boreal conifer-seed-eating birds we might hope to see in winter will respond to the situation in the far north. But if Red Crossbills stage a flight this fall-winter, they should find plenty to eat around here. Greg Hanisek Waterbury ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrier Graphics" <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:21 PM Subject: [CT Birds] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > A quick round in West Hartland today we had: > > 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering > in small groups now unlike while breeding. > > Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen > now in small groups here and there. > > Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging > from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such > abundance of cones like there is up here in northern > Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? > > Paul Carrier > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > _______________________________________________ This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org

Jim I also noticed some spruces here in Northern CT full of cones as well, but not to the extent of White pines. The spruce and fir plantings on Canaan MT at 1,400 plus/minus feet also had a good number of cones, though some trees were bare. A possible good winter finch year here if the situations are favorable. Although a banner crop in the boreal forests up north might be good enough to keep them there all winter, as is usually the case. Paul Carrier ________________________________ From: Jim Zipp <jimzipp@sbcglobal.net> To: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com>; Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org Sent: Friday, September 11, 2009 10:09:36 AM Subject: Re: [CT Birds] lots of cones It's not just here in southern New England. This past spring while on my usual birding/photographing trips to the boreal forests in northwest Maine, the cone crop on the spruces etc there was very heavy. Jim The Fat RobinWild Bird and Nature Shop 3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518 www.fatrobin.com 203-248-7068 Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZippPhotography.com ________________________________

The White Mountains of NH are also full of cones for pine, spruce etc. Other trees like Mountain Ash are full of fruit. Not exactly a "mast" year but stuill abundant. Birch catkins are low. It would be interesting to see how the winter finch distribution pans out this winter. It is about this time of year we get the "Finch forecast" from Ron Pitiway in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario. > Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:09:36 -0700 > From: jimzipp@sbcglobal.net > To: ghanisek@rep-am.com; carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net > CC: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Subject: Re: [CT Birds] lots of cones > > It's not just here in southern New England. This past spring while on my usual birding/photographing trips to the boreal forests in northwest Maine, the cone crop on the spruces etc there was very heavy. > > Jim > > The Fat RobinWild Bird and Nature Shop > 3000 Whitney Ave. Hamden, CT 06518 > www.fatrobin.com > 203-248-7068 > Toll Free U.S. 1-866-Fat-Robin > > Jim Zipp Bird Photography www.JimZippPhotography.com > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Greg Hanisek <ghanisek@rep-am.com> > To: Carrier Graphics <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> > Cc: ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 5:29:01 PM > Subject: [CT Birds] lots of cones > > Paul, > > For what it's worth, I was just noting to myself in the past week or so how thick the White Pine cones are in the Waterbury area. Then I was at Great Pond in Simsbury and we noticed the same thing. Of course any boreal conifer-seed-eating birds we might hope to see in winter will respond to the situation in the far north. But if Red Crossbills stage a flight this fall-winter, they should find plenty to eat around here. > > Greg Hanisek > Waterbury > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carrier Graphics" <carriergraphics@sbcglobal.net> > To: <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> > Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 4:21 PM > Subject: [CT Birds] WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > > > A quick round in West Hartland today we had: > > > > 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW > > > > A group of 6 JUNCO. They seem to be gathering > > in small groups now unlike while breeding. > > > > Warblers seem to be more active as well,being seen > > now in small groups here and there. > > > > Has anyone been noticing the plethora of cones hanging > > from most White Pine trees? I have never seen such > > abundance of cones like there is up here in northern > > Connecticut this year. Is it the same throughout the State? > > > > Paul Carrier > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org > _______________________________________________ > This list is provided by the Connecticut Ornithological Association (COA) for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. > For subscription information visit http://lists.ctbirding.org/mailman/listinfo/ctbirds_lists.ctbirding.org _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://windowslive.com/Campaign/SocialNetworking?ocid=PID23285::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:SI_SB_online:082009