[CT Birds] Redpolls in trouble ?

[Carrier Graphics]

Redpolls in trouble ? 

Today here in Harwinton, the ice on trees caused by the freezing rain has remained all day. This is causing a problem for the 50 plus Redpolls that have been feeding here all winter so far. With the ice covering their natural food supply – tree seeds, catkins and buds, they are not getting food for this day except here at the feeders.

Because of this situation, many are feeding from my feeders most all of the day, eating the regular Thistle, and occasionally seen eating the sunflower seeds they are lucky to open, plus some fine cracked corn as well. This to me is showing desperation.

In addition, I have never seen a more pitiful looking bunch of birds - ever. They are all extremely wet, shivering and shaking off water continually, with all looking like drowned mice. I also see no color from them in this wet state. Their red crest spots are looking black, and with their body feathers all wet, their appears to be little red at all. They all look dark and dismal. In comparison, most all the other regular bird species feeding with them are still neat and weatherproof looking. 

Can it be, as it is here in CT for the Redpoll, who are a regularly far northern wintering bird, a new encounter for them, with our intermittent warm and cold, snow, rain and icy ways of our southern New England winters? Can it be they are just not accustomed or built for this type of winter weather?  Might this weather possibly cause some casualties from those who depend so singularly on trees for survival? 
Any comment to this? 

Paul Carrier