MDI Birds
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    Pine Siskin / Spinus pinus

    : Breeds. Variably to mid Apr-late Jul in spruce and mixed woods especially along the east and southeast side of MDI, at Schoodic Point, and on the . Nests have been seen under construction as early as late Feb. Family groups until late Sept when they merge with migrants.

    : to in small, noisy flocks early Oct-mid Nov with a late Oct peak and to early Dec.

    : Some to many usually present mid Dec-late Feb, often at bird feeders but as well on birch and alder cones. It's not known if these wintering birds are locally produced or from away. In a few winters there are none. In others they may not arrive until late Jan-mid Feb.

    Miscellany: Pine Siskin is the most regular of the irregular ‘winter finches' but all of them depend on a local seed crop. Writing in the early 1970s, the ornithologist James Bond thought that the species didn't summer on MDI every year, as they do now.

    Last Updated: April 28th, 2022

    Locations

    1. 1. Schoodic Point 44.332627, -68.059814