In my 7 years of birdwatching the Juncos have always been right. I know the day they show up is the last day of my growing season! I also know when they leave we wont have to shovel any more snow.

Interestingly, I have never seen Juncos in my NW GA yard unless there was snow here or snow on the way. I was sitting on my porch the other day, and a Junco flew into my Cherry tree. I couldn't believe my eyes. I sure hope that he was just lost or just passing through. It certainly isn't time for any snow here.~~Angie

Wow, a Junco in GA already???? I'm in the Atlanta area and will keep an eye out. I had fewer Junco's last year than ever before and wonder why. When I was doing the Cornell Bird Count a few years ago I'd see as many as 25 plus at one time. Last year it was rare for me to see 3 at the same time and some days I didn't see any.

Pretty little birds.

I know janie, that is exactly what I thought when I saw it. And now, I've just seen another one in my yard on October 24th!! It's scaring me actually. I honestly NEVER EVER see those little sweeties here unless there is snow coming or snow on the ground. The normal time for me to see them would be in January.~~Angie

I do see them as early as the first or second week of Nov. but never before that. I'm lookin'.......... :D

bandjzmom, I can't help but ask -- just where on the TN line are you? I'm in TN very near the GA line.

My MIL has seen juncos every year in her yard and I have NEVER seen a junco in mine and she lives a half a mile away from me! We don't get that.

Hey deanie! I am in Ringgold, GA. The Chattanooga TN line is about a 10 min drive from my house. My sister, who lives 15 min from me gets birds in her yard that I don't see in mine, but then she had a woods line running along the back of her lot where I don't. ~~Angie

In South Jersey, just saw several groups today in my honeysuckle vine and azaleas. Rainy and windy Had a frost last night. They usually stay til sometime in late April.

I am in SEPA and I had my first junco (at least that I have seen) at the feeders this morning.

bandjzmom and deanie1, I'm just up I-75 in Cleveland, TN and the only time I ever see Juncos is when there is snow on the ground. Have never seen one otherwise.

Hey troutwind! Wow, you aren't too far from me. Maybe like 45-50 mins drive? Do you ever visit Ooltewah Nursery? Like you, I don't see the Juncos unless there is snow here or snow coming. That is why I am astonished to have seen two of them already this fall. Maybe they were just passing through!~~Angie

I'm in Massachusetts and the Junco's have been in my yard since the second week of October, which is a bit early. They usually don't show up until November. The other day, I counted over 20 of them on the ground picking up seeds that either fell out of the birdfeeder or I scattered around. They'll be around now until the middle or end of April.

Funny, there are usually some white throated Sparrows that accompany them but I haven't seen any yet. My feeders are loaded with Tufted Tit Mice, one of my favorites, along with Chickadees.

Linda

bandjzmom:

I pass by the nursery all the time but have never stopped. Mostly I go to the Varnell nursery on Lee highway south of Cleveland.

I live in NY state and I saw the first Junco VERY early this year....earlier than I have ever seen them before....does anyone know if this is an indication of a particularly hard winter??