I birded some of Milwaukee’s lakefront this morning to see what was around. Highlight at the lakefront was a immature Great Black-backed Gull and an adult that spent the time out in the water. The fun was just starting as I started heading home a received a text from Ryan S that Common Redpolls were near Frame Park in Waukesha. When I arrived, Ryan was just going to try to relocate them as they had flown off. After a 1/4 mile walk we relocated them along the river feeding on the cones on some Alder trees. What a show they put on with nice views. It was about a flock of 15-25, some came and went but the majority of them hung around for while. For the most part they continually pulled seeds from the cones and ate them. I had been down to the river 3 times this week looking for the Redpolls with no luck so this really made my day and the others that had been looking for them. A big thank you to Ryan for the text message this morning. Later Derek and Bruce showed up and also enjoyed the show. Images of the Common Redpolls eating seeds or gathering them were taken on January 16, 2016.
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll
Binomial name: Carduelis flammea
Category: Redpolls
Size: 5.25” long, 9” wing span
Weight: .46 oz
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
It’s all about food! Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Common Redpoll
Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll eating the Alder seed
Common Redpoll extracting the Alder seed from the cone
Thanks so much for sharing Jim! Our deciduous cone crop is minimal, and we are missing our finches, siskins, and redpolls this winter.
Excellent Jim! Beautiful!
Thanks Jim for reminding us these guys are out there –minimal numbers this year. Have seen a total of two in my Stevens Point yard so far; two years ago they were beyond count. So thanks for encouraging the old folks peeping out the windows !
Thank you for the beautiful photos and your posts!
Love those redpolls and haven’t seen any this year. Thanks for the wonderful photos.
Thanks for sharing, Jim. Actually two days ago we had/ have several in our yard. They are fun to watch, amongst the frenzy of feeders in the frigid weather.