In answer to my request to help identify mystery visitors at the
feeders,
Pat Doran's reply found its way through cyberland and was received
first. She wrote:

> great description...take a look at common redpole (Carduelis flammea) in
> your field guide. The common redpole is a finch and you may be seeing
> more as some people are predicting an invasion year for finches. See:
> http://birds.cornell.edu/winfin/wifin.htm
> ....Pat Doran
-------------------

Thanks Pat! Mr. Redpoll is in my book. I looked at him but I had
rejected him because the artistic style (lousy) picture in my book
didn't look at all like my mystery guests.

So, I went into the finchy Cornell website as you suggested (excellent
site!) and found a good picture there... and VOILA!... there he was! My
guys didn't have rosy coloured breasts as bright as the colour in the
website photo, but I am convinced they were Common Redpolls. Everything
matches. THANKS! Another backyard first for Paul.

AND equal thanks to several other kind souls whose responses were
received shortly after Pat's, who also immediately zeroed in on an
accurate ID. Your responses are equally appreciated, and convince me I
HAVE REDPOLLS! YAY!
Purty things! Shame to call anything that purty "Common" ain't it.

__________________________________________________________
Paul, Powassan, Northern Ontario <pgparlee at onlink.net>
* I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.