Winter is here!

What to expect this winter?

According to recent Winter Finch Forecast by the Finch Research Network, northern irruptive passerines, like finches, will likely remain in forests this winter, where food is abundant. Recent migration counts data from the dunes of Tadoussac showed birds moving both northeast and southwest.

Unlike the Pine Siskin or the Purple Finch, certain species, such as the Bohemian  Waxwing, were exceptionally rare this autumn. Last year at the same time, thousands of individuals had already been observed on the Côte-Nord region, feeding on mountain ash fruits. Winter conditions could, however, push some birds further south, when food becomes harder to come by.

Other birds on the move

In addition to the species mentioned, several other birds may migrate south of their usual ranges during the winter. The Willow Ptarmigan, for example, experiences cyclical irruptions every 10 years. Last year, several individuals were observed as far south as the boreal forest’s southern edge, and in November 2024, several have already been spotted north of Lac-Saint-Jean.

Both the Black-backed Woodpecker and the American Three-toed Woodpecker, iconic species of the boreal forest, may also move south depending on the state of the forest. Last year’s wildfires, for instance, created favorable conditions for the development of saproxylic insects (which feed on dead wood), which are a key part of these woodpeckers’ diet. Good breeding success can lead to greater southward movement.

Finally, don’t forget the southern species that are gradually moving further north each year, such as the Northern Cardinal, White-breasted Nuthatch, and Carolina Wren, which can be found at bird feeders during the winter.