We have had scads of redpolls all winter long, 50-60 every day. The flock started to increase around GBBC and by the last day we had 175. But, for the past 5 days, we have had in excess of 300. They are going through nearly 2 gallons of black oil sunflower seed and 2 liters of thistle seed every day.

High redpoll numbers are not unusual for us, but this is the most we have ever had. It seems that every year there is one in the bunch that is not quite right. The individual in question is a little slower moving, not as good a flier, and hangs around at the end of the day after the rest of the flock is gone. It just isn't shaped right. I am not sure if it is the way it holds it wings or something about its feathers. Quite frankly, it looks like it has an eating disorder and has become a bit obese. I wonder if anyone out there knows what, if anything, might be wrong with this bird? I posted a picture on the vtebird flickr page. It is titled "weirdpoll". Thanks for any help you can give.


Thanks,
Pieter van Loon
Marlboro