How Ron Pittaway developed acclaimed winter Finch Forecast
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:07 pm
Entertaining and infornative read on how Ron Pittaway developed his acclaimed winter finch forecast. Originally published in Living Bird.
How Ron Pittaway developed his acclaimed Finch Forecast
Great Gray Owl (and Boreal Owl) irruption cycle for last 5 decades. Mostly every 4 years and sometimes 5.
Winter 1978-79
Winter 1983-84 (5 year cycle)
Winter 1987-88 (4 year cycle)
Winter 1991-92 (4 year cycle)
Winter 1996-97 (5 year cycle)
Winter 2000-01 (4 year cycle)
Winter 2004-05 (4 year cycle) Big irruption with hundreds of great gray owls counted just in Ontario.
Winter 2008-09 (4 year cycle)
Winter 2012-13 (4 year cycle) Up to 5 great gray owls at one spot along Rockliffe Parkway in Ottawa.
Winter 2016-17 (4 year cycle) They were seen at various locations in Montreal at Techno Parc golf course and in Chateauguay. Also in and near Ottawa such as Parc Plaissance (golden-eye), along March Valley Road and one very tame female just west of Montreal.
Winter 2020-21 (is next expected irruption winter if it stays to the 4-year cycle).
How Ron Pittaway developed his acclaimed Finch Forecast
Great Gray Owl (and Boreal Owl) irruption cycle for last 5 decades. Mostly every 4 years and sometimes 5.
Winter 1978-79
Winter 1983-84 (5 year cycle)
Winter 1987-88 (4 year cycle)
Winter 1991-92 (4 year cycle)
Winter 1996-97 (5 year cycle)
Winter 2000-01 (4 year cycle)
Winter 2004-05 (4 year cycle) Big irruption with hundreds of great gray owls counted just in Ontario.
Winter 2008-09 (4 year cycle)
Winter 2012-13 (4 year cycle) Up to 5 great gray owls at one spot along Rockliffe Parkway in Ottawa.
Winter 2016-17 (4 year cycle) They were seen at various locations in Montreal at Techno Parc golf course and in Chateauguay. Also in and near Ottawa such as Parc Plaissance (golden-eye), along March Valley Road and one very tame female just west of Montreal.
Winter 2020-21 (is next expected irruption winter if it stays to the 4-year cycle).