winter birds?

In spite of the overcast and drizzle, there were birds, birds, birds this morning -- passerines plus a woodpecker or two -- in the pine grove just in back of the pond and all along the marsh edge with chickadees and titmice, both nuthatches, a surprising number of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (no Golden-crowned), many Yellow-rumped (a.k.a. Myrtle) Warblers and the regular late October complement of sparrows -- White-throats, Song and Swamp. There are still good numbers of Pine Siskins along with lesser numbers of Am Goldfinches all around the marsh edge. And, of course, Mourning Doves, blackbirds (Red-winged and Grackles), Am Crows (with an occasional Fish Crow) and Blue Jays. Also Mockingbirds on each side of the property (they are year-rounders) and a loud Brown Thrasher or two calling from inside the woods. And the inevitable and highly successful Carolina Wrens -- also year-rounders.

I wonder how many of these birds are settled in for the winter (alas, I won't be around to check it out).

Eric Salzman