This afternoon, after a slow day for birding (it was overcast and drizzling off and on throughout most of the day), I dropped by a popular feeder station. There I came across a flock of about 30-40 common redpolls, and to my surprise, no less than two hoary redpolls in the mix. The commons were primarily of the "Southern" subspecies (C. f. flammea), but there was a single "Greater" female (C. f. rostrata) feeding with them. She was noticebly larger and darker than the other common redpolls present.
The first hoary redpoll I noticed was a member of the "Southern" subspecies (C. h. exilipes). This one may have been the same individual that I had seen earlier in December, and has been reported locally off and on feeding with a flock of commons. However, and while I may be mistaken as redpoll ID can be tricky, I believe the second hoary was of the "Horneman's" subspecies (C. h. hornemanni). The bird was larger than the other redpolls (though this may simply be from being puffed up against the cold - but I doubt it) and was much whiter than even the other hoary. Unfortunately, a couple of red squirrels and a rather pushy hairy woodpecker kept scaring off the flock, and when I left I could only locate the exilipes hoary. Still, a rather nice way to end an otherwise uneventful day of birding. I'm withholding the precise location out of consideration to those who live in this small, quiet residential area. Those familiar with the Ottawa birding scene will already know where I'm talking about. Thanks, and good birding. Spring is almost here! _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For instructions to join or leave ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdssetup.php ONTBIRDS Guidelines may be viewed at http://www.ofo.ca/information/ontbirdsguide.php
