The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Wildlife => Topic started by: Fleecewife on June 24, 2018, 11:33:14 pm

Title: Redpoll - what's it doing here now?
Post by: Fleecewife on June 24, 2018, 11:33:14 pm

This is the first year we have had redpolls here, on our bird feeder.  There are others in the area but first time here.  The question is, why is there one here now, in June?  According to the bird books they are found along the east coast, gradually working inland, in our winter.  They nest in the summer in the Scandinavian countries and further east.
Does anyone know about redpolls? Have you seen them in summer?  I've no idea if they're lesser or greater, as I have nothing to compare them with.

Title: Re: Redpoll - what's it doing here now?
Post by: GribinIsaf on June 25, 2018, 06:11:23 pm

We are in mid-Wales and have had Redpolls in the winter before but this year they are here now as well, presumably breeding.

These must be the Lesser Redpoll which the RSPB lists as have a quarter of a million Uk breeding pairs, as opposed to the Common Redpoll which is the winter visitor you describe.

Useful fact sheet from the BTO:

https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/gbw/associated_files/gbw-lesser-redpoll-factsheet.pdf (https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/gbw/associated_files/gbw-lesser-redpoll-factsheet.pdf)

Title: Re: Redpoll - what's it doing here now?
Post by: Fleecewife on June 25, 2018, 08:27:11 pm

Great info thank you Gribinlsaf.  Just what I needed to know  :thumbsup: