Redpoll flock
Yesterday, missing Ted, Donna and I walked up hoping to see his face and hear his friendly sounds. The temperature was above zero—not that cold. Redpoll restingI thought he would be happy to see someone. I said the nicest words to him that I know. The straw moved a bit, and that was all. He wasn’t taking visitors. So different from exactly four years ago (February 11) when it was colder (below zero) and he decided to stroll to the fence and back, which Pooch Pal recorded in this 4 minute and 15 second video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69fIWGFrlL0
On February 7, I mentioned how redpolls have to wait when the Grab ‘n Go chickadees are streaming in and away from the bird seed spot. 
Redpoll warning ChickadeeThat changes, though, when there are a lot of redpolls. When a flock of 17 flies in, it is the chickadees that have to wait. The open mouth redpoll was warning off a chickadee that flew too close.
It’s not all about competition, though. Sometimes a redpoll, perhaps a full one, decides it’s time to just sit peacefully puffed up awhile for maximum warmth.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center