Rosy-finches in Silverton, San Juan County

[Peter Derven]

Today, Monday 2/16, we encountered a flock of 400-500 or more Rosy Finches in Silverton who gathered in tall cottonwoods near the corner of Blair St. and 9th intermittently. The great preponderance are Brown-caps but we were able to pull out a few Gray-crowns and at least one splendid male Black Rosy-finch among the mob that gradually descended to street level. They're really spooky, so it's recommended one simply park the vehicle and wait to view from within. In the 20 winters we've visited Silverton this is by far the largest assemblage of rosy-critters yet!

Peter & Ellen Derven