Rosy-finchers, we are halfway into the season! We are in the middle of the fourth survey window (out of seven) and it runs February 1 - February 20. We would like to thank you all for contributing so much to this project. We have received hundreds of data sheets and many amazing photos from across the Intermountain West.

Did you miss a survey window, or are you joining us mid-season? That is OK - please jump in!

Quick Links

Don’t forget, as soon as you finish your survey, email a scan or photo of your datasheet to: rosyfinchstudy@gmail.com
The Rosy-finch Project website.
The Count Guide for everything you need to know.
The data sheet, now a fillable PDF!
The Training is available on YouTube.
Join the Facebook Group to share stories, photos, and ask questions!
If you know others who may be interested, they can still join here.

A Note on Bird Feeder Maintenance

You may have heard that regions of the Pacific Northwest are experiencing an outbreak of Salmonella at bird feeders. This is a great reminder that bird feeders should be disinfected 1-2 times a month for the health of our wild birds. The National Audubon Society provides helpful guidance here .

Story Time

How Ski Culture Set the Stage for Rosy-Finch Conservation

A large number of participants on our project come from a seemingly unrelated group: skiers. Read a recent story by Ecologist Janice Gardner about how tradition at one western ski resort set the stage for the project. Read the full story.

The Finches of Cloudland: A Love of the Rosy-Finch

Lynne Spriggs shared her passion for these beautiful creatures in a blog post for the Finch Research Network. An excerpt from her piece, she describes the magic these birds have brought to her Montana home:

*Community scientist Lynne Spriggs’ local Rosy-finch flock in Montana. ©Lynn Spriggs*

“My husband and I live in an isolated mountain valley in central Montana...Our only human encounters are with the family who helps us run our cattle ranch. Daily relationships center around a variety of animals, both domestic and wild, who share this diverse mountain habitat. We first took notice of these unusual winter finches back in 2007, when we counted about sixty. Now, a flock of some four hundred and fifty Gray-crowned Rosy Finches stay with us each winter for five months. These beloved winter acquaintances come to us from a dramatic world high in the clouds.

Northern summer nesting grounds are in remote landscapes. Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are quite possibly the highest altitude breeding birds on the North American continent. For this reason, they remain largely hidden to most people. Even in colder months, they prefer extreme environments for their wintering grounds. We feel lucky to know them.” Read Lynne’s full piece on the Finch Research Network.

Team Highlight

Ian Griffith is our Conservation Science Intern and is thrilled to be a part of the team. Ian grew up in Park City, Utah, and will graduate from the University of Utah in May of this year.

Ian has a deep-rooted passion for participating in and protecting outdoor recreation activities. The mountains are a sacred place for him, and he hopes to be able to assist in preserving our natural and wild spaces for the benefit of future generations. Ian is receiving datasheets, managing data, and conducting Feeder Counts. He is excited to learn more about birding and support such an important project.

Rosy-finch Rewards

*Scott stands beside his Feeder Count site in Albuquerque. © Scott Snyder*

Scott Snyder - Albuquerque, New Mexico

“Came across the study by accident and was really excited. Not a professional birder or photographer by any stretch, this is a great way to take my love for wildlife and help make a difference. I love watching the variety of birds we get in Albuquerque. My feeders attract bushtits, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, swallows, sparrows and thrashers. Those combined with the hawks, ravens, crows and roadrunners - it's our own little aviary oasis!"

Laurel George - Pine, Colorado

*Beautiful image of a Black Rosy-Finch. © Laurel George*

“My love of birds came from my mother, but it took canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp before I could identify them. It’s a great place for beginners as there are thousands of easy-to-see large birds like herons and egrets. Decades later, in 2014, a new bird came to my feeder, a Gray Crowned Rosy Finch! One became 20, then 70, then over a hundred. The following year, there were over 700 Rosy Finches! Last year, I attended a Brown-capped Rosy Finch Study banding session in Colorado not far from my home, and through them, I learned of this study.

I love watching the large flocks as they fly to the deck but turn sharply in unison to circle around and come back. When they do land after several ‘fly-bys’, the noise they make while eating sunflower seeds sounds like a rainstorm! I hope everyone gets to experience these delightful and remarkable birds.”

Kathy Kocon - Albuquerque, New Mexico

“I am a very amateur bird watcher, but there are two things I do constantly when outside. And that is … look at the sky and listen for birds. Pre-pandemic, I enjoyed “Birds and Breakfast” at Valle del Oro where volunteers take folks like me out to spot and learn…Because of where I live, it may be unlikely to see a Black Rosy-Finch, BUT you never know. I do see a Red-naped Sapsucker, Curved-billed Thrasher, Dark-eyed Juncos, and many more of the more common birds.”

Angela Snow - Salt Lake City, Utah

*Angela has been a volunteer with the Tracy Aviary for many years. ©Angela Snow*

“I learned about the Rosy-Finch project during one of Tracy Aviary’s online education programs this year…I have mostly seen Lesser Goldfinches. I did see a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I had thought ruby-crowned kinglets were insectivorous, so I was surprised to see one at a seed feeder. At least I have learned something new by participating the study, even though I haven’t seen any rosy-finches (yet)!”

Will Selfridge - Salt Lake City, Utah

“I've been interested in animals since I was young and finally decided to do something about it. My dad and I love to travel with our "bird book", signing off when we recognize a new species. This is a chance to get involved and see new birds!”

Valentine, you make my day ROSY! (1).png

Lastly, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Share this digital and very "rosy" Valentine with the lovebirds in your life by downloading the image. Have yourself a twitterpated Valentine's Day!