Redpolls

Redpoll, Sac Zim Bog, Minnesota

Sadly, I had not seen either Redpoll species before the trip to Minnesota. That made it a little more challenging to distinguish Common Redpolls from Hoary Redpolls. Hoarys are whiter, with a shorter bill, and less/thinner streaking. I saw individual that were clearly one or the other, but photography was challenging, with the birds continually moving. The individual on the left looks whiter (as does the top photo), but I am not positive looking back through my photos.

The photos are not ideal, but are useful as a personal record. I spent most of my time around the Redpolls watching Evening Grosbeaks or Boreal Chickadees.

Evening Grosbeaks

Evening Grosbeak, Sac Zim Bog, Minnesota

While at the same feeder as the last post, watching Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers, Pine Grosbeaks, Redpolls, White-breasted Nuthatches, and Black-capped Chickadees feed, I commented that I wished some Evening Grosbeaks were there too. Just then, a large flock of Evening Grosbeaks descended on the feeders. I tried naming other birds, but I couldn't replicate the effect.

However, I was quite satisfied to watch these crazy birds. I had never seen them before, even though they were making guest appearances across the midwest.

Pine Grosbeaks

Pine Grosbeaks, Sac Zim Bog, Minnesota

I had gotten to see and photograph Pine Grosbeaks in the UP, but it was fun to see both males and females coming to this feeder at Sac Zim Bog. The feeder was in the open, so I didn't get that close, but it was still great.

I figured that brilliantly colored male Pine Grosbeaks are appropriate on Valentine's Day.

House Finches

Several male House Finches like to visit my feeder. I haven't seen a female visit yet, though.

Cassin's Finches and a Mountain Bluebird

When I was driving back down from Mount Wheeler, I spotted a tree with two pairs of Cassin's Finches and a Mountain Bluebird. They all just seemed to be sitting there enjoying the sunshine.



The Bluebird stretching his wings. Mountain Bluebirds are relatively common in the area, but I have had a hard time getting a picture of one.

Cassin's Finches are very similar to Purple Finches. Cassin's females have stronger wing bars, a less distinct white eyebrow, and more streaking on the back.

UP Birding

Grass River Natural Area
We went cross country skiing at this park in the Lower Peninsula. I thought this was pretty, so I threw it into the post as well.

A Birder's Guide to Michigan had very useful directions to different feeder stations. This was one of the first ones we stopped at just north of Kinross. Turkey's were just sitting beside the road. Pine Grosbeaks were at the feeders, plus the other common assorted northern birds.

This is the Edison Power Plant. A gray phase Gyrfalcon used to spend the winter perched on this building. Alas... I did get some nice looks at Common Goldeneyes and Common Mergansers.

If I make it back, I will want to spend more time at the excellent feeders at Dunbar Park. Evening Grosbeaks and Common Redpolls had been reported here before and after. There seemed like there were hundreds of Pine Siskens calling at once. They really appreciated the seed that was spread on the ground under the conifers. Dunbar is where I got some really nice pictures of the Pine Grosbeaks.

Pine Grosbeaks

I had one day to visit the eastern UP to look for boreal bird species. While I struck out on several of the birds that I was hoping for, I did enjoy getting to see several flocks of Pine Grosbeaks.
Pine Grosbeaks are a large member of the finch family. From a distance, they just look large, plump, and gray. These guys were not very concerned by my presence, although they were more challenging to photograph than they would appear. I had seen them on other time in the Rocky Mountain National Park; this was my first time to see them in the Midwest.

Alpine Tundra

Joy looking out from an overlook along Trail Ridge Road. Tuesday, we drove from Grand Lake to Fort Collins via Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park. It was still too early for wild flowers, since there was a lot of snow cover in places. It was, though, a great time to look for alpine tundra birds.

The trail from the Alpine Visitors Center to Milner Pass.

White-tailed Ptarmigan was one of my target birds. These guys made it easy, walking right across the path.

Ptarmigan strikes a pose

You can see how well the Ptarmigans can blend in. I took a wide angle shot of this bird, and I couldn't even find him in the photo.

American Pipits seemed to be the most common tundra bird, along with Horned Larks, and White-crowned Sparrows.

Brown-capped Rosy Finch was the other alpine tundra species that I was really hoping for. They made it pretty sporting, and I only saw several.

I hear that they are almost always on the snow fields, but only one of the ones I saw was near a snow field. BTW, it is almost impossible to take a good, detailed photo of something dark on a snow field on a sunny day.

This Rosy Finch landed beside the car while I was waiting in a considerable line for road construction. It might be the first time that I cursed the luck that the workers got the traffic moving too quickly. I had no choice but to leave these life birds behind...

Purple Finches

One of the fun feeder birds at Muscatatuck NWR were a couple pairs of Purple Finches. I do not get to see them too often, so it is special when they show up. They seem larger than House Finches. The broad white eye-stripe on the female is always my clincher, since I wish purple-finchdom on many a male House Finch.

Pine Siskins & Goldfinches

The trees and feeders at Eagle Creek were full of Pine Siskins and American Goldfinches. They were only the sidelight of the visit, but I still enjoy every chance to see them. I would especially like to add one to my Bigby list.

Pine Siskens

A flock of pine siskens visited the feeders at Blendon Woods Metro Park in Columbus, OH. This photo gives a nice comparison between american goldfinches (top left and bottom right) and the pine siskens.