This year, a widespread cone crop reaches from northern British Columbia to eastern Quebec and down the western mountains. While there is a widespread crop, some areas have significant holes caused by insect infestations (Spruce Budworm, Tent Caterpillar, etc.), drought, and forest fires. Large areas of the boreal forest have an excellent berry crop, including Mountain Ash. Areas south of the boreal forest are mostly a mosaic of poor to average crops. Significant winter storms and freezing rain events may be needed to nudge some species out of the boreal forest this winter.
- Most Pine Grosbeaks should remain in the boreal forest with some flight into their traditional wintering areas in western and southeastern Canada and northern New England states as wild food sources to the north are consumed.
- Most years, Purple Finches migrate south out of Canada. This year, the majority should leave Canada with a likely moderate flight to the Great Plains and southern United States.
- Most Redpolls will stay in the northern boreal forest. Areas in the upper midwestern states and the Maritime provinces may see more Redpoll movement as southbound birds transit the holes in the boreal cone crop. Note that in 2024 Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll and the Lesser Redpoll in Europe have all been lumped into the same species now called Redpoll.
- There should be a small movement south by Pine Siskins in search of food in the eastern US.
- There should be a moderate flight of Evening Grosbeaks southward this fall. Evening Grosbeaks should visit areas from the Maritime provinces south towards Pennsylvania. Areas even further south to the mid-Atlantic states may see grosbeaks this winter.
- Most White-winged Crossbills and Red Crossbills will remain in the boreal forest.
There are three irruptive non‐finch passerines whose movements are often linked to finches:
- In eastern North America westward to Manitoba the deciduous tree crop appears below average with scattered areas of average crops, so expect a moderate to strong flight of Blue Jays this fall.
- The Balsam Fir crop is widespread in some areas with a great crop and is completely absent in other areas across the boreal forest. As a result, we can expect a moderate flight of Red-breasted Nuthatches.
- Most Bohemian Waxwings will likely stay in the north because native Mountain Ash berry crops and other berries are good across much of the boreal forest. Small numbers will probably arrive mid to late winter in traditional areas from central Ontario eastward into the Maritime Provinces, New England, and northern New York as winter progresses and food resources dwindle.
Read more at:
