This morning I visited the Storm Lake Cemetery hoping to add winter finches to my Buena Vista county list there. I found a large flock of Common Redpolls estimated at 33 and noticed a pale individual. The birds were responsive to my pishing and I got a good look in good light at the pale bird sitting up in a bare tree. It had a very light face with that pushed in look to the bill; light breast with a very pale pink wash; very fine streaking on the flanks; and clean white undertail coverts. I have had only one other Hoary Redpoll in the mid-1990's.
In another part of the cemetery I found a flock of about 26 White-winged Crossbills so it was a very good winter finch day! Lee A. Schoenewe Spencer --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
