I’ve always lived in an area where Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) are called snowbirds, since they migrate to the area for the winter.

I had a surprise back in the summer 2014 when I went just a short distance from my cabin, up the mountain, to Shenandoah National Park and saw Juncos enjoying the warm summer weather. After checking I realized that there is a population of Juncos that spend the summer along the ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. So close to me in their own little world and no migrating thanks to the higher elevation.

Back here at home though they’re still my snowbirds.