Pine Grosbeaks in Jefferson

[David Govatski]

At least two dozen Pine Grosbeaks were seen along the Mooseway Ski Trail at the Pondicherry National Wildlife Refuge in Jefferson on New Years Day. Eight Pine Grosbeaks were gritting on the access road to the Mud Pond and Mooseway Trailhead. Others were seen along the Mooseway ski trail itself. I met two birder friends who were also skiing and they reported a flock of over a dozen near Little Cherry Pond.

Our first bird of the new year was the Evening Grosbeak. Not just one, but 122 that I counted in four trees as I was going out to fill the tray feeders. They are actively feeding from around 0730 to noon and then sporadically for a few hours after that. We had 35-40 goldfinches, 4 tree sparrows, 3 purple finches, and two juncos.

David Govatski
Jefferson, NH