Saturday, January 05, 2008

Redpoll-palooza



The best Christmas gift I got this year was the return of the Redpolls. Zoey and I had been waiting for them since early November. We were sure they would be there any day. We loaded up feeders for them. We hung suet. And we waited. And we waited. And we waited. We would be teased by two, three and four of these lovely little birds, but not the numbers of last winter. I began to wonder whether I was just exaggerating my memories of last winter.

Finally, I think right before Christmas it got cold enough in the interior of Alaska for the Redpolls to want to leave. It was mighty chilly in Fort Yukon, Galena, Minchumina and McGrath.

While getting water in the kettle for coffee Christmas morning, I watched three Redpolls land, then three more, then six more until there were at least forty. YIPPY! They arrived in time with their beautiful red berets on, looking wonderfully festive. Oh, I was ecstatic.




This video is for Bill of the Birds. He is looking for Redpolls at his feeder in Whipple, Ohio. I hope he finds some.




Also, just arrived today is a leucistic redpoll. I have not seen this one before. We will all be keeping an eye out for her (I'm calling it a her). Hopefully, I'll get a picture that is more suitable for posting. I realize this one looks perfect for Monster Quest, what with the blurry, image. I just wanted to leave you all guessing!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

You know the Hoary Redpolls are much lighter in coloring than the Common Redpolls! Congrats on having arriving and they are perfect Christmas birds with their red cap!

Mary said...

What a great Christmas gift! I've never seen a redpoll. Your video reminded me of the hundred house finches here at my house :o)

Dave Dorsey said...

Did that redpoll bring you a bottle of Cold Duck?

Meggie said...

Glad the redpolls came back, Trixie.

entoto said...

Excellent observation, Dave! Actually, I think that is the Barefoot Bubbly. We ran out of room in the fridge.

RuthieJ said...

Wow, Trixie, that is so cool...and they're noisy little buggers too!

I keep watching the thistle seed feeders to see if a redpoll is mixed in there somewhere, but none have shown up yet.

Susan Gets Native said...

You are a bad lady. Giving the birds liquor.

: )

entoto said...

Hey, it sure makes for some interesting observations.