Here in MD we have had Common Redpolls all winter, and a few Hoary Redpolls,
also.  I do not recall having this many since the 1990s.



Frank Boyle 
Rohrersville, MD (and pining for my hometown, Burlington)
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"It is the nature of truth in general, as of some ores in particular, to be
richest when most superficial."
-E.A. Poe

From:  Pieter van Loon <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:  Vermont Birds <[log in to unmask]>
Date:  Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:17:52 -0500
To:  <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:  [VTBIRD] Redpolls and more redpolls

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