Feature Article January 15, 2004
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Nature Reflections - Winter VisitorsThey herald their arrival with twittering, and then they settle in the top of a tree above the feeders. Are they checking out the safety of the area? And then two or three scouts descend to land on the feeder, quickly followed by the others like a swirl of wind-driven leaves.
They are the redpolls, more specifically the Common Redpolls.The latecomers flutter around the early arrivals with increased chatter as they try to find places at the feeder ports, and those that don't land on the ground and quickly start hunting for seeds that have fallen. Something startles them and most return to the trees as quickly as they came down.The performance is repeated, until suddenly the entire flock takes off with their chit-chit-chit and disappears.
Perhaps they are headed for a field where weeds are still poking above the snow and they can find seeds, or to a birch tree, where they will hang upside-down and pry the seeds from the catkins.
These are far-northern breeders and most winters (though not around here in the winter of 2002/03), there will be southerly irruptions as they seek food.This year they are around in numbers, which will probably continue to swell over the next month.Then in March they will begin to disappear as they head north again. They are small, heavily streaked finches, with a red caper poll, and a black bib under their chin.Males will have a wash of pink on their breasts, and this becomes brighter as the winter progresses and the feathers are worn down, until it is brightest as the birds prepare to mate and breed.
There are several races of Common Redpolls. The most common one is the Mealy, which breeds in a broad band across the Arctic and in a few pockets in Newfoundland and central Russia, with a subspecies that is larger, with a longer bill and larger bib.
Another race is found in Greenland and is larger and browner, with its subspecies in Iceland being smaller and greyer. Another even smaller and more colourful race is found in Europe.
But check the flock carefully. Is there one that almost looks "frosted"? It may be a Hoary Redpoll. Watch for the unstreaked pale rump, which identifies it. Usually very slightly larger than the Common Redpoll, there is also a subspecies, which is close in size to the latter. It requires care and careful observation to identify the Hoary, or the various races of the Common, as there can be extreme variability in plumage.
It is a delight to have these social birds visit, but a large flock, which in some winter irruptions can number in the thousands, will quickly empty a Niger seed feeder. Observations: Common Redpolls are being reported in numbers - from Cloyne, Burke Settlement Rd, Armstrong Road.Audrey Cooper in Cloyne reports lots of Evening Grosbeaks.Mark Saunders has seen Rough-legged Hawks in November and December. What feeder visitors have you had?Contact Jean at 268-2518; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
