Subject: Redpoll flock near Walla Walla
Date: Jan 8 17:25:02 1995
From: "Nestler, James" - nestja at wwc.edu


A flock of at least 22 Common Redpolls was 6.3 miles up the North Fork
Coppei Creek Road on Saturday, January 7. The birds were seen (by me) at
3:30 p.m.

The birds were feeding in the middle of the road and in the surrounding
fields. If you do try to see them, be advised that the road is rather
icy (but not much snow cover as of yesterday) in spots. Take a 4WD
vehicle if possible.

How common is it to see flocks of these birds, as opposed to seeing
individuals?

Jim Nestler
Walla Walla
nestja at wwc.edu

P.S. I just got off the phone with Mike Denny. He and several others
(Ken Knittle, Howard Armstrong, Andy Stepniewski) tried to see these
birds today. The road today is even worse than yesterday, and these
brave birders almost slid over a cliff (no, they didn't see the birds).
Bottom line: don't bother going on the road until June. Maybe the birds
will still be there.

P.S.S. At least two Rusty Blackbirds are keeping the Common Grackle
company at the Walla Walla College Dairy.