Common Redpolls arrived at our feeders in late November and ate us out of house and home for about a week — and vanished until today. I’ve not seen any Redpolls in the woods or anywhere around central Vermont but suddenly, about a dozen were chowing down on our sunflower and nijer seeds this morning.
It’s great to have them back — they are just great to watch as they chow down. You might remember, from this post, that they have a “pocket” in the neck area to store food. I thought of this today as I watched one grab at least a dozen seeds. I didn’t stick around to see if it could still lift off with that payload.
So, regardless of whether you are a new group passing through, or an old group coming back to where the food is great, welcome Redpolls. You perk us up on these short, short days.
Hi Dick, I think they have been at my feeders. Had a whole bunch of Common in November too, now most are Hoary. Life birds for me this season too.