Virtual Program

Every year as fall migration winds down, birders across the country eagerly await a second wave. A group of birds collectively known as the winter finches undergo a bonus migration of sorts, descending from far northern climates to grace feeders across the U.S. in an avian show exclusive to winter months. But unlike standard migration patterns, there is no guarantee these winter finches will visit us in any given year and the reasons and timing behind it can often seem baffling. There is logic to it though and the Finch Research Network has made it its mission to not only unwind the mystery but bring us annual reports giving guidance on what we can look forward to.

Join from your home feeders as the man behind the FIRN Winter Finch Forecast, Tyler Hoar, shares the science behind this annual tradition and gives us a window into the world of irruptions and winter finches. Bring your dinner, your drinks, and your questions!

All are welcome to attend this free event but RSVP is required.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

About our speaker:

Tyler is an experienced field biologist. Over his career, he has studied many avian families including shorebirds, raptors, parrots, and passerines including finches. His work has taken him from the high Canadian Arctic, south to the deserts of Arizona and the rainforests of the Caribbean. His recent work has centred around the wetlands of the Great Lakes and shorebirds staging in southern James Bay (for Birds Studies Canada, Canada Wildlife Service, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)). Tyler authored the Evening Grosbeak account for the second Ontario Breeding Bird atlas.

 In 2020 Tyler took over as the Winter Finch Forecaster, from Ron Pittaway who retired after 20 years of providing us a window into what may come each winter. Tyler is passionate about finches and is enjoying the process of creating the winter finch forecast. Some of Tyler's early childhood memories were of flocks of Evening Grosbeaks visiting the family home each winter. His favourite finches are Evening Grosbeak, Hawfinch, Pallas’s Rosefinch, and White-winged Crossbill.