This morning the Hoary Redpoll that I had on the 14th returned with
about two dozen Common Redpolls.  Ted Richards and I observed the bird
together for around 5 minutes, and I had three other observations of a
total of around 15 minutes off an on.  I don't have the time right now
to post detailed observations, but we are sure it is not a Common--we
had great looks at the bird in the company of many different Commons,
including some very whitish ones.  It is clearly a c.h.exilipes
(southern race) and not a c.h.hornemanni (Greenland).  The shimmering
frosty quality, markings, facial structure, size of cap, beak, rump and
undertail coverts were all observed.  There is no reproduction anywhere
that can capture the irridescence of this bird.  At all times, he was
easy to find in the trees with the others because of his striking
color.

The flock came often this morning, less often this afternoon.  The last
time I observed it, it was Hoary-less.  It tended to hang out in the
trees more than join the others feeding on thistle I had thrown on the
snow, but it did venture down occasionally to feed.  There is still
some food available in our small birch, but this is diminishing.  Who
knows if this bird will take another two weeks to return?  These birds
are very easily spooked and move about a lot, even when feeding.

Paula Gills
Brookfield/Northfield