[CT Birds] Of Redpolls

[Carrier Graphics]

For those who have seen the Redpoll this year, here is an interesting observation of one who saw them back in 1855 that parallels my affections towards these small hearty birds. . . 



Henry David Thoreau - 1855

Standing there I am reminded of the incredible phenomenon of small birds in winter,-  - that ere long amid the cold powdery snow, as it were a fruit of the season, will come twittering a flock of delicate crimson-tinged birds, lesser Redpolls, to sport and feed on the seeds and buds now just ripe for them on the sunny side of a wood, shaking down the powdery snow in their cheerful social feeding, as if it were high mid summer to them. 
 These crimson aerial creatures have wings which would bear them quickly to the regions of summer, but here is all the summer they want. 

What a rich contrast! tropical colors, crimson breasts, on cold white snow! Such etherealness, such delicacy in their forms, such ripeness in their colors, in this stern and barren season!    -(end)-

        And for those who are still seeing them, my latest date here in CT of their departure is 1994 - April 13th

Can we beat this date this year? If you would, could you please post  your last sighting of a Redpoll here this season. Thank you - 

Paul Carrier