[CT Birds] Hoary Redpoll

[Mntncougar at aol.com]

I've had a flock of Redpolls visiting my yard and nyjer feeders  for the past 
3 or 4 weeks, which has ranged from 25 to 30 birds up to an actual  count of 
53 last week.  I had noticed on several occasions that a couple of  the birds 
seemed to be much lighter than the others.  I posted pictures of  1 I was able 
to "catch" with the camera last week, but after considerable  examination we 
concluded that it was a Common with some of the traits of a  Hoary.  
However, Nick Bonomo paid me a visit last Thursday, and was  able to get 
several pictures of a bird that looked promising.  After being  passed around to 
several key members of this list there was general agreement  that it appeared 
to be a HOARY REDPOLL, in particular, having a smaller bill and  almost clear 
undertail coverts.  From Friday to today the bird has been  viewed by numerous 
people and, I believe, the identification  confirmed.  Since I've been told 
it is the first 1 reported in the state in  24 years, I think it's a 
significant find.  Below is a link to the pictures  taken by Nick Bonomo.
Anyone interested in seeing the bird is welcome to come and  look.  Just send 
me an email and I'll give you directions.  Since it's  in a large flock that 
comes and goes, more often than not in smaller  groups, it may take patience 
to actually spot it.  Most of the people  that have come so far have been 
successful in eventually finding it.  
 

Nick's pics:  _http://picasaweb.google.com/nbonomo/HoaryRedpoll_ 
(http://picasaweb.google.com/nbonomo/HoaryRedpoll) 
 
Don Morgan 
Coventry, Ct.




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