Hoary Redpoll Acanthis hornemanni (presumptive ID, the Bird Records Committee will rule on it's validity I presume, and it may turn out to be a Common Redpoll or a hybrid)
Finches that breed in the very northern parts of world are very dependent on seed crops of species of trees that they use, and seed crops vary from year to year. Species of finches like both species of Redpoll, Red and White-winged Crossbills, and others come south in much bigger numbers on years when the seed crops they depend upon fail in the far north. This year has been a pretty big year in early winter for Redpolls, and a few days ago this bird was found in a flock of Common Redpolls feeding on birch catkins at a popular park in Seattle, WA. Many birders had made it up to see the bird already, and today I ventured up to try my luck.
As is often the case at stakeout birds, I just looked for the croud of birders, spotting scopes, and cameras to know where to look. Shortly after searching through a flock of about 12 Redpolls, I managed to find this individual who was much paler than the others, with almost no streaking on the flanks and undertail coverts.
It also has a couple of tail feathers that are damaged, making me pretty sure it is the same bird that has been IDed as a Hoary Redpoll.
There is a lot of debate as to whether Hoary Redpoll is a valid species anyway. It my be "lumped" with Common Redpoll as a single species soon, but for now it is a new WA species for my life list, and I'm pretty excited.
Stay tuned for more Washington winter specialties as next week I hope to visit north central Washington to look for Snow Buntings, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Gyrfalcon, Snowy Owl and more.
Wish me luck and safe travels.
Until next time, good birding and good day!