I went for a ride this morning to kick off a 2006 list and was pleasantly surprised with a lifer less than a half-mile from my home. Mixed in with a flock of Common Redpolls feeding in the tansy near the Connor-Jasper Middle School in Bovey was at least one Hoary Redpoll. Ive seen several possible Hoarys in the past that I couldnt say werent Commons with any certainty, but this bird was textbook. It was clearly larger and puffier-looking, had a generally whiter appearance, had an unstreaked rump and undertail coverts, its bill was obviously stubbier, and its breast had only a feint hint of pink.
I also found about 40 Bohemian Waxwings in Coleraine and Pine Grosbeaks in Coleraine and Marble. Yesterday, Earl Orf and I birded Itasca County. Highlights included: 5 Boreal Chickadees on Alder Rd, .1 miles N of Middle Creek (~3.2 miles N of CR 48) Bohemian Waxwings (>100) in Deer River Evening Grosbeaks on CR 128 and in Deer River Belted Kingfisher over a tiny, unfrozen creek on Eagle Nest Rd. (I dont know why this bird wouldnt head for nearby areas with much more water available.) Gray Jays on Alder Rd, CR 128, and CR 153 Northern Shrike on Alder Rd Pine Siskins on Alder Rd Common Redpolls on Alder Rd Pine Grosbeaks in many locations Bald Eagles in many locations Northern Cardinal in Grand Rapids (were seeing more all the time) Barred Owl in Grand Rapids We haven't been seeing northern owls in Itasca County this year. Shawn Conrad Bovey
