Hi All ,
Redpolls have recently turned up in my garden for the first time since i have been encouraging birds into my place. I have been feeding the garden birds for 3 winters, why would they turn up now ?
Also will they take up residence ? At first 2 arrived about 2 months ago,gradually it has built up to around a dozen that appear on the nyger and sunflower heart feeders at least 4 or 5 times a day.
What a wonderful little bird they are, the males must look absolutely stunning in their spring colours as they look so pink breasted even in mid-winter.
Hi Nigel,
What a lucky man you are. I've never had one. I believe they like birch trees best.
Have you got any photos? Love to see some.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Sparrow,
I took some photos on my sons 35mm and still got some film left to take,once i've run it out it's fingers crossed they turn out ok then i can post em.
I have a large alder tree in my garden and am not sure if that helps at all as the little fellas only seem to settle in it before deciding whether it is the nyger or sunflower heart feeder they will feed on on this visit.
Can only suggest you put up some nyger/sunflower heart feeders and keep your fingers crossed
Good Luck
Niel.
Hi Nigel
I had one turn up a few days ago. As you see he went for the nyger seed. Never seen one in the garden before.
I think they often come south in the winter (Berkshire) and breed further north so I probably won't see him again once this cold spell is over.
Looking forward to seeing your pics.
Tony
____________________________________________________________________
My Flickr Photostream
Hi Nigel and welcome to the RSPB Forum {from me to you}
I agree that Redpolls are lovely little birds indeed {smile}
I think it is the 'bad' cold weather we have at the moment that have caused a lot of confusion with all birds at the moment. They do not know whether they are coming or going at times - poor things.
Look foward to seeing some of your pictures so we can ID if it is a Redpoll or a Lesser Redpoll you have - they are quite a feat to work out at times. (smile, and a wink}
TJ: Your picture of the Redpoll is fabulous - what a beautiful little gem
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Kathy & Dave,
Thanks for you reply, when i get the photos on i will be asking for help on the I.D bit.They look impossible to tell at all which ones they are!!!!!!!!!
Gonna take the easy option at the mo and just call them "Beautiful Redpolls"
Cheers,
Nigel
Hello Nigel, I am so pleased for you that you have redpolls in your garden. Enjoy them whilst they hang around. I would be thrilled if they arrived here.
Susan H said: Hi Nigel, What a lucky man you are. I've never had one. I believe they like birch trees best. Have you got any photos? Love to see some.
I think you are right about them liking BIrch trees, this is a (bad) photo of a few redpolls in the birch tree at the far end of our garden. They only ever go on this tree and don't come down to feed so it's tricky to get a better shot.
Learning more and more as the weeks go by
Hi mjblue,
Thanks for that lovely photo. They seem to be very acrobatic.
Also to TJ for his wonderful photo.
I do have nyjer seed up anyway for the godfinches, but perhaps the lack of suitable trees is stopping them visiting me.