Peak numbers of the Bald Eagles passed through Paul’s neighborhood last week. The first Snow Buntings of fall filtered south mixed with flocks of Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks.

Another first of fall sighting last Saturday: As expected, the first Snow Buntings slipped into the area among big mixed flocks dominated by Lapland Longspurs and Horned Larks. I enjoyed watching the Snow Buntings feed and work their way among the other birds. It was also the peak of Bald Eagle migration through the area; near dusk I found a roost site with 20 Bald Eagles, and about five miles north I found another three adults congregated.

Then it happened: Freeze Out! No more eagles, no more geese, very little feathered life, if any, beyond my feeders. It’s always a sad moment, and then I revert to winter mode and everything is fine again. But the last two years tens of thousands of geese (five species) remained well into December, with the last Snows evacuating December 23 last year. Quite a difference from year to year in North Dakota.

Speaking of my feeders, it was fun to witness the feeder birds move through the area the afternoon after Freeze Out. On Sunday, an ever-expanding group of birds visited my feeding station, starting with a dozen or so House Finches. I rarely see House Finches here, but I was glad to have them dominate my feeding station. Soon they were joined by eight American Goldfinches, a species I haven’t seen for a couple months in the area; they rarely appear here in winter plumage.

Within a few moments, a Red-breasted Nuthatch popped in, and within the hour, the first female Purple Finch – hey, this is exciting, I thought. Later, a Common Grackle and an American Robin appeared, species I haven’t seen for weeks, but neither bird actually investigated the feeders. Then add my favorite regular feeder visitors, Blue Jays, a female Hairy Woodpecker, and a few Downy Woodpeckers and White-breasted Nuthatches.

I was hoping these birds would be around for the winter, but the next day only the regulars remained, joined by House Finches; and so it continues. But I’m looking forward to new visitors as the season progresses.

Article and photos by Paul Konrad

Paul Konrad is the Editor of The Birding Wire; share your sightings or photos at editorstbw2@gmail.com