Alas, I must question Nick's suggestions.
Do we really want to throw the baby out with the bath water? Yes,, redpolls are hard to identify. Yes, there are some taxonomic questions, with some authorities lumping all, and others splitting them into 5. As we struggle with junco subspecies, and with understanding the distribution of montane and eastern forms of WB Nuthatches, should we just label them all "redpolls?" I think not. If we truly do not understand what is going on in CO, then we should redouble our efforts to do so. Learn something for ourselves and contribute to general knowledge as well. However, it should be noted that Colorado doth not exist in isolation, for we do know that both Hoary and Common Redpolls are invading south across much of the continent in a huge way. Yes, some of the Commons are paler, some are darker, but I do question whether that truly indicates their latitude of origin. Those differences between northern and southern breeding Common Redpolls truly are averages. But it doesn't really matter. We have many dark Common Redpolls, some pale ones, and undoubtedly, a very few Hoaries. Estimates of Hoary:Common Redpolls in prior irruptions from central and western USA have ranged in the 1:200 to 1:500 range. So, be careful, most definitely. Fire those cameras up. Certainly. Good photos will be very helpful in making these identifications. But just be happy with redpoll and not challenge thine mind? Methinks not! It is not a matter of "convincing," but rather 'tis a matter of studying and learning. Of curiosity. Happy Polling Red Steve Mlodinow Longmont CO -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
