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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2008 7:48:03 GMT -8
Hi, everyone. Last night I posted photos to bcvanbirds of a presumed Lesser Goldfinch that has been coming to a nyjer feeder in our backyard. Initial response confirms the ID. I didn't have time last night to work through the posting process for this list, but here are a couple of photos taken through the window, cropped, and blown up by photobucket, so the quality is poor. Here is the Lesser Goldfinch sharing the feeder with a Pine Siskin. Again, Pine Siskin and Lesser Goldfinch This is a bird of the southwestern US and is fairly rare for BC. I have already had visitors and phone calls. If anyone is interested in trying to see this bird, you are welcome to come to my place. The address is 2093 Topaz Street in Abbotsford. Walk in the driveway and to the far end of the open carport. The feeder is hanging above the deck to the right. There is a second nyger sock feeder hanging in the apple tree farther away in the yard. He comes to that feeder as well. The white chair gives good views of both. Getting much closer than that will make him nervous and he will be gone. I saw it several times at the feeder for several minutes yesterday afternoon, and when my wife came home she said she had seen it the day before also. Be prepared to wait, as you will see mostly siskins, but the goldfinch will come in periodically, at least it did yesterday. Stan
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2008 10:57:59 GMT -8
I've had several emails and phone calls from birders from the western valley area and a number of birders have been here looking for the bird. It made a brief appearance about 11:00 and has not been seen since.
If anyone is interested, there are several birders here now.
Stan
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Post by Gord on Jun 12, 2008 12:25:01 GMT -8
Stan, Id certainly say that's a worn but nonetheless, Lesser Goldfinch. Congratulations on an excellent rarity!!
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Post by tmanson on Jun 12, 2008 16:15:54 GMT -8
Hi all: As many will confirm, the Lesser Goldfinch continues at Stan's place in Abbotsford. As Stan has said, it seems to be coming to the feeders on the hour, and, I, along with several others, were there for the two o'clock ( late ), feeding. I took a couple of poor pictures, but, in mine, at least in close-up, and in Stan's I can see some green on the back, which Sibley says is supposed to be there on birds west of Texas. Anyway, there were others there with much better camera optics than mine, and I believe some of these images will be posted here. In the meantime!! Thanks very much to Stan for being such an accomodating host. Another great bird for the Fraser Valley!. Cheers, Thor Thor Manson Hope, B.C.
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Post by Gord on Jun 12, 2008 16:31:29 GMT -8
Good job getting it Thor and getting some photos as well.
Another new species for the Fraser Valley to join the Clay-coloured Sparrow. Time to get busy updating the checklist!!
Im hoping to get by next time I get a chance too.
Thanks for the update Thor, and thanks to Stan and his wife for allowing others to view it!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2008 18:25:33 GMT -8
Quick update: The male Lesser Goldfinch was seen at least eight times today between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm. After that we weren't watching. Sightings were often about an hour apart, but varied between 15 and 90 minutes apart. It usually comes in with a flock of Pine Siskins but occasionally on its own. It usually goes on the feeder after most of the siskins have had their turn and the bickering has wound down, and feeds quietly for several minutes.
About twenty birders came today, and all got to see it, although some had to wait a while. This is apparently about the fourth or fifth confirmed record of this species for BC.
It was great to have so many people get to see it.
Stan
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Post by Gord on Jun 13, 2008 17:26:49 GMT -8
I talked with Stan's wife this afternoon and she said that it had appeared about four times during the morning.
I expect it will hang around unless this nice weather prompts some movement where it then might leave. I hope that, while the siskens might go, the Am. Goldfinches probably wont do much so it will have company.
Still watching for a chance to get out for a look!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2008 18:10:45 GMT -8
The Lesser Goldfinch was seen a number of times today, but perhaps not as regularly. However, there was no one home for several hours, and there weren't people watching most of the day as was the case yesterday, so maybe it is still coming regularly but we aren't seeing it.
I think most of the serious listers have already been here, but I'm aware of a few who still want to come, and you are still welcome. It's very satisfying to have virtually everyone who comes actually get to see it.
Gord, apologies. She didn't see it for quite a while after she returned home and when it did appear she didn't think to call you back. Just come around this way when you will be able to stay for a bit if necessary, and you should be successful.
Stan
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2008 18:40:53 GMT -8
Since I know some are interested, the Lesser Goldfinch was seen several times today (Saturday), but the waits are getting longer. Anyone is still welcome to come and try for it.
I appears a bit of a pattern is emerging -- it tends to be absent longer in the early to mid afternoon, and comes in more frequently in late afternoon and early evening. But if you are able to take the time, it has always appeared at the feeders sooner or later.
Stan
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Post by Gord on Jun 18, 2008 21:01:44 GMT -8
A little late sharing my good news. I was able to enjoy the Olson's hospitality twice over the weekend. I discovered a free hour to pop by on Saturday but missed it by about 10 minutes. On Sunday afternoon I made another try. Just as my time was running out, Stan spotted it as it sneaked in to the feeders. What an awesome bird!!! Got a few little pictures too. It even ruled the niger sock for a bit fighting off the siskins! Thanks once again to Stan and his wife for being so accommodating and generous!! Keep us updated on how long the little guy hangs around. Maybe Len and Murray will get back in time to see it too.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2008 12:33:50 GMT -8
Hi, everyone.
Sorry I haven't been updating regularly. I've been involved up to my ears with shorekeeping at Boundary Bay, atlassing, and several other projects. Everything seems to happen in May and June! I've been posting daily updates on bcvanbirds and leaving it at that.
The Lesser Goldfinch is still coming in with the siskins several times a day to our nyjer feeders. When he comes, he usually stays for about 10 minutes.
We aren't watching for him as regularly now, and only one or two people a day are coming, but we see him three or four times a day, and I have no doubt he is here more often than that.
Everyone who has tried has seen the bird, as far as I know, although at least three people have had to come back for a second try. But anyone who can wait for a couple of hours will see it. Usually it's much less than that.
Anyone interested, feel free to come and watch for him. Directions for accessing the feeders are in the first posting above. There is a second sock feeder hanging in the apple tree, and he comes to that one as well.
If you need directions to find our place, try MapQuest or GoogeMaps, or email me if that doesn't work.
Stan
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Post by Gord on Jun 20, 2008 21:00:21 GMT -8
Thanks Stan! Great to hear it is still coming! Feel free to keep us posted on him.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2008 20:55:33 GMT -8
He was seen several times today, Saturday, with the earliest appearance at 11:25 and 5 more appearances in the afternoon and evening.
Stan
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2008 21:50:48 GMT -8
The Lesser Goldfinch continues to show up at the feeders here. We aren't watching as regularly now, and no birders have come for a couple of days, so we aren't keeping track of times as carefully, but we saw him around 8 this morning, and again around 8 this evening, for about 15 minutes.
Stan
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2008 13:59:44 GMT -8
Well, yesterday (June 29) was the first day since June 11 that we didn't see the Lesser Goldfinch come to the feeders at all. It could have been around when we weren't watching, because it has come several times a day without fail. Or maybe the warm weather made it homesick and it took off for the south. And when I logged on to this site I noticed that I had missed a message from one of our regular contributors, who lives in Abbotsford, asking about coming to see it. I hope it's not too late, but I fear it may be. My apologies for not updating more regularly with clear instructions on how to come to see it. Stan Olson Abbotsford
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