February News Notes:
• Up to now this has been a sparse winter for northern finches with the exception of Northern Goldfinch populations. Very few Pine Siskins, Redpolls & Purple Finches have been seen at feeders.

• We should remain alert for any new birds wandering down from the North Country.

Bird of the Month - Common Redpoll
The Common Redpoll can stand more cold weather than any other songbird. This seems unusual for such a tiny bird that weighs a mere ½ ounce. That’s a quarter-ounce less than a Chickadee. But they have adapted well to the cold since the majority of their entire life is spent in it. They nest almost to the Arctic Circle, sometimes beyond the tree line, in scrub bushes on the tundra. They breed from Alaska to Newfoundland in sub-arctic areas and winter just to the south of this region. During the long Arctic nights Repolls will sleep in “snow-tunnels” to conserve energy. But they are an irruptive species that will drift south during the winter months into the Northern & Central Great Plains from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Coast. Some years they may drift as far south as Southern Kansas. Their appearance

in Central Canada and the upper United States is related to the availability of food sources in the wintry north. They seem to visit our area about every two to three years, but heavy snows can drive them down here at anytime during the winter.

Redpolls get their name from the red spot on the top of their head. They are a small finch with a small conical beak. Other identifying features include a black chin. Their bodies are streaked which is common among many finch species, and the wings have broad white wing bars. Female Redpolls are similar to the males with heavier streaks, and only the crown is red. It is common to see Redpolls in the company of Goldfinches and Pine Siskin, and other members of the finch family. They will come to bird feeders for smaller seeds such as Proso millet, Nyjer thistle, & sunflower chips. Do not mistake them for the male House Finch which is much larger and its entire upper body is red.

If you attract them to your feeders, the first thing you will notice is how tame they are. Since encounters with humans in the normal range are rare they seem to tolerate us more than other birds do. Redpolls reside in regions so remote where habitats are generally not subject to human disturbances.

Common Redpolls feed on tiny seeds and buds from willow, birch, and alder trees. They are very acrobatic hanging upside down from thin branches collecting seeds from catkins. They will also consume a variety of weed and grass seeds, especially during the winter when they will feed on the ground.

When they feed during cold weather they ingest large quantities of food in a very short period of time. They will then find a roost out of the wind where they will digest the seeds. In the winter they will drop from a tree branch into deep snow, making a tunnel about a foot long to roost in. This method of feeding must be a means for the Redpoll to conserve energy and stay warm. They store their food in a small packet in their throat called a crop. This is why grit is an important part of a birds diet. The grit will aid in grinding and processing the food for digestion.

Common Redpolls form monogamous pairs that do not defend a territory. They will nest in a common area where nests can be close together. A nest site is selected in a dense shrub, usually near a swamp or bog, and hidden from sight. The female will construct a loose open cup nest using twigs, grass, and moss. The nest is then lined with feathers, plant down, and hair. Once she has completed the nest the female will lay 4 to 5 greenish-white eggs with purple blotches. The eggs will be incubated by the female for approximately 11 days before they hatch. The male will bring food to her during this period and continue to do so for the first few days while she broods her young. The chicks will remain in the nest for another 11 days before fledging, and are fully independent within a month from hatching.
We have received several reports of folks seeing Redpolls in our area this winter, so be alert for them. With plenty of winter left you never know when they may make an appearance in your backyard.

Wingtip: It is common for Redpolls to form winter flocks, whirling around as they move from food source to food source. These groups of Redpolls are collectively known as a "gallup" of redpolls.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Many people have asked if it is possible that they would be seeing a wren in their yards at this time of year. Well, very much so. It is the Carolina Wren which seems to have adapted to wintering over here. It is common for them to nest in our area, but they generally move toward southeastern states to avoid the cold weather. It may be due to the series of mild winters prior to this one that has allowed them to remain. So this year many folks have seen them visiting the suet feeders and some shelled seed products. Larger than a House Wren, Carolina Wrens have the upturned tail typical of their species, and a noticeable white eyebrow.

Why Care About Canada’s Boreal Forests?
During spring migration up to 3 billion birds fly through the U.S. to their breeding grounds in the Canadian Boreal Forest. Up to 5 billion birds (adults and offspring) fly south from the Boreal each fall. 60% of these migrants spend the winter in the U.S. — making it the largest wintering grounds for boreal birds such as Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-crowned Sparrows, Rusty Blackbirds and Ruby-crowned Kinglets.
The responsibility of the Boreal in sustaining some bird populations is startling:
80% of the waterfowl species of North America, 63% of the finch species, and 53% of warbler species breed in the Boreal. For nearly 100 species, 50% or more of their entire breeding populations occur in the Boreal.
Over 80% of the North American populations of 35 species occur in the Boreal. Find out more about the Boreal Forests at: www.borealbirds.org

National Bird Feeding Month