Today, 4 Common Redpolls showed up at our feeders. I've been watching for them, as they're one of the irruptive species that's being sighted all over
WNY. See the bottom of this post for more info about irruptive species:
Pine Siskins Show in Orchard Park ».
There were 3 females and 1 male in the little gallup (the term for a group of redpolls). I only caught some photos of a couple of the females, but I have hope that they'll return so I can capture that beautiful male. As a matter of fact, he was the very first male Common Redpoll I've ever seen! Although there's not a huge difference between the sexes, his lightly washed breast of red was very handsome.
Did you know that during the long Arctics nights, redpolls will sleep in snow tunnels to preserve their body heat?
Our Pine Siskins continue to show each day, still numbering in the low 30's. Yesterday, when replenishing the feeders, 2 of them landed within 20 inches of me. I was shocked; I didn't realize they're so tame! I just went about filling the feeders and, although they warily kept an eye on me, they stayed put and ate from the thistle sock. I wonder if they'd eat from my hand...
Yesterday, I noticed a White-throated Sparrow foraging under the feeders. I think that's a little late for those guys to still be around in Western New York. It has been an unusual end of the season here, for sure! Now, if we could only get some of those grosbeaks and crossbills to show up here, I'll be ecstatic!