Winter bird forecast somewhat brighter than a year ago

Reports of early movement of purple finches have been occurring for weeks. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photos)

Reports of early movement of purple finches have been occurring for weeks. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photos)

Redpolls could have a strong flight south out of the boreal forest east of Lake Superior into the lower Great Lakes.

The past couple of years have seen generally slim pickings in the region in terms of avian visitors that can bring color to the otherwise drab palette of winter and make it worth the expense of putting out seed and suet.

Last year I wrote in late December “no purple finches, no evening or pine grosbeaks, no pine siskins, no Bohemian waxwings, no redpolls, no red or white-winged crossbills, although flocks of the latter have been seen in northern Wisconsin.”

It