Dave Weaver, US Forest Service Volunteer and Co-coordinator of the Rosy-Finch Feeding Project reminds us about the policy that permits use of only hull-less seed at the Crest House feeder. Please remember that this is a private business establishment that is permitting use of its leased property for the feeding project. USFS prohibits feeding of wildlife in "undisturbed" forest lands, so this is the only property on the Crest where hummingbird and bird feeders are permitted. Hull-less seed presents less a problem with litter and also does not germinate and introduce alien plants into the delicate environment, so please cooperate. Of course, the project has no budget and relies upon the kindness of merchants and visitors to provide the seed as well as hosting the feeder.
Flocks of all three species, including the Coastal (Hepburn's) subspecies of Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch continue to be reported in good numbers.
Since snow is expected, do not venture up to the top during a storm or immediately afterward. You may call Crest House
AFTER 9:30 AM at 505-243-0605 to determine whether they were able to open. It is quite impossible to view the single deck feeder from outside the building, though flocks may roost nearby between feedings. Here is Dave's note, with a link to the sightings log below:
Hi Ken,
I went up to the Crest today, where it was 20 degrees (F) and snowing at 10:30am. There was 3 inches of snow on the ground, with much more expected over the next 24 hours or so. The road is icing pretty quickly and the Crest House staff are uncertain about whether they will open tomorrow or not. I have attached a log update.
While we are very grateful to people who bring bird seed to the Crest, it would be useful if folks could remember that in accord with our agreement with the Forest Service any seed used in the feeders or as part of the Rosy Finch project must be hull-less. We have had a couple incidents in the past week when people insisted on using seed with hulls that they had brought with them and the Crest House staff have had to ask them not to use it. This is a case where the locals really do know best, and are only trying to maintain our agreement and so enable the continuation of the feeding.
That's it for now. I plan to go up to the Crest again next week as usual. If we are not in touch before the Holidays start in earnest, our Best Wishes to you and yours!
Dave The log is
available at this link (PDF)
Locked
