They left last year around mid-March, and like clockwork, they returned in early November. My snowbirds are back. Each year I have a small flock of snowbirds, Dark-Eyed Juncos if you will. The 10 or 12 birds shelter in our thick bushes, making occasional and regular darts beneath our feeder to scratch for dislodged seeds. Rarely do I ever see them at the feeder, only below.
Snowbirds spend their springs and summers to our north in higher elevations in the Alleghany Mountains where they nest. Once the chicks are up and at ‘em and the cold weather sets in (it snowed in New Your last week), they fly south to their usual haunts. The females are first to arrive. They are slightly smaller than the males and a bit lighter in color.
Snowbirds are particularly fond of grass seeds, and they like to hang around with squirrels who dig up seeds when they bury nuts, and then the little snowbirds take advantage. Maybe that’s why they come to our yard. We certainly have lots of squirrels with multiple holes dug throughout our yard.
I figure my snowbirds will hang around about 4 months, then head north.
Until then, welcome little fellows and enjoy your seeds.