Doug,

Thanks much for this report. This is truly an extraordinary finale(?) to an
already exceptional redpoll invasion. I've taken the liberty of forwarding
this news to Tweeters.

Could you estimate the number (or %) of Hoary Redpolls in this flock? The
Hoary Redpoll is a "review" species in Washington. A detailed written
description is the minimum required to include this species in the WRBC
(Washington Rare Birds Committee) database on this species.

Some questions come to mind. It's my memory that the tree species found in
the Sinlahekin Valley riparian zone are primarily Water Birch and alder
(Mountain?). Did you observe redpolls foraging at all in these trees? Or, if
you did not, did you happen to note seed littering the snow beneath these
trees? If you did, there may be time for others to enjoy these birds, as it
is frequently noted that redpolls move from trees to ground foraging and
back again (erratically it seems) during the day. The seed-laden trees would
augment the weedy and brushy habitat you observed the redpolls using.

The weekend is fast approaching; there may be a few intrepid birders already
preparing to make the long trek to the Sinlahekin, hoping to see this
spectacle. Undoubtedly, these redpolls will move north, as you say, and
perhaps soon, but I have seen flocks of several hundred not far (Toroda
Creek in the Okanogan Highlands) away well into March.

Sincerely,

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net