Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Suffolk

Finally, some birding, and a day out! Started with an early morning and high tide wader count at Rainham - just one segment of a count undertaken by several people to try and simultaeneously survey all of the roost sites along the Thames with the aim of preserving the disused piers they like to get on. Rainham wasn't a great success in ecological terms, with one Dunlin, two Black-tailed Godwits, and a Snipe. I recommend building houses on it.

Once done with the wader, err sorry, waders, Nick, Bradders and I headed off to filthily twitch the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Suffolk, as the title of this post suggests. As expected, a brilliant bird and a complete star. Diagnostic features included a complete and utter disregard for any birder or photographer, no matter how close they were, although it took exception to one particular birder with an earring and white socks, and gave him a thorough going over.

Death by Redpoll

Oh, sorry, you were expecting photos of the bird? Oh go on then...... By the way, I am struggling hugely with getting photos to display at the right width on this blog. I'm a big fan of big photos, photos that look nice. I hate little itty bitty photos that you can't see what they are. In my enthusiasm for super-sizing, it's become apparent that sometimes you, the reader, only see a tiny tiny fraction of the photo, the rest being cut off. For instance in the photo above you might only get the birders on the left and completely miss Lee flat on his face after being floored by a large Redpoll. Rest assured I am trying to fix this, but being pretty unsavvy in all matters html, am struggling rather - this evening for instance the wonderfully informative sidebar has disappeared to the bottom of this blog.... I'm trying to get it back. Oh, the Redpoll? Er, yeah. Here.

More of the Arctic-type Redpoll

What's not to like? Note the flank streaking, but also the clean white undertail coverts with only a thin central line. Mystery bird! You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

It looks very snowball-like in this photo in the shade. On a view like this you would easily convice yourself it had Arctic heritage!!



The pure white portion of the rump is actually quite narrow, there is significant streaking moving into the rump from the top and bottom.



Doesn't it look different in this shot? Much darker.



In sunlight, the bird took on a very milky appearance, like really weak coffee. This was more of a tan and white coloured bird than a grey and white one.



A large red forehead, very nice.

So is the bill small, or large? Or inbetween?