Hoary Redpoll reported from Nelson!

Report from Nov 27--Nelson, BC

Field description from Paul Prappas:

" It was sitting directly above me on a bare branch and I was immediately struck by the clear breast. Next to no streaking on it. Pure snow white. I checked out the face from below and felt that the face profile and beak look stunted. Finally, I was struck by the shape of the bird. It seemed bigger than the other Redpolls, chunkier as it was. I've seen Hoary's up in Alaska and would be the first to admit that they can be easily mistaken for a Common and vice versa, so I am wary. I suppose considering their variation, I could have miscalled this one, but it was a very Hoary-looking Redpoll."

--This sighting, along with reports of large numbers from the Creston area, and frequent reports from the Okanagan and coast, seem to suggest that it is going to be a great year for redpolls! There are already large flocks of Pine Siskins patrolling Vancouver and the Island, so get out there and check through each flock closely!