The Lincolnshire Bird Club

December has seen very good numbers of Redpoll at Whisby (100+) although they have been mobile and generally difficult to observe as they feed in the tops of Birch trees. Over the last two weeks I have managed to get reasonable views of at least two Mealies, although in both cases the flock was feeding in areas with no public access. Today a smaller flock of around 50+ was feeding around the southern side of Grebe Lake, and although still difficult to observe feeding at the top of Birches, at least offered a chance for others to see them. Again I got good views of at least one Mealy but I later met up with Dave Jenkins who had independently also been watching this flock today and he saw at least two birds. I suspect we are just latching onto the more obvious individuals (big and pale compared to Lessers) but feel sure more are certainly present within the flock. Anyway one for any local birders in the Lincoln area but be prepared to put some time in to locate the Redpoll flock(s); just to re-state they are highly mobile.

Regards

Grahame

Hi Graham

On 12th December I thought that I saw a Mealy at Whisby but my pictures were not conclusive, I'll leave others to decide if they were.

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Looks good to me, with the white tramlines and greyish base colour to the mantle and white on the rump. Could you submit this Russell, as Common Redpoll is still a description species in Lincs?

Thanks Paul, will do.

Russell

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there have been 3 redpolls at Waters' Edge in December 2 being Mealies and one Lesser http://www.lincsbirds.co.uk/album/displ ... um=1&pos=2 -- a large flock at Laughton in November appeared to have about 5 Mealies but they were incredibly skittish and I never got to grips with them and have not seen them since although they are probably in the area --

Having revisited my pictures taken on 12th I may have been lucky enough to have photographed two different birds as there seems to be some difference to the underside markings on them.

I have put a couple of pictures of what I think are two different birds in the album.
http://www.lincsbirds.co.uk/album/albums/userpics/10013/P1060462m.jpg


http://www.lincsbirds.co.uk/album/albums/userpics/10013/P1060488m.jpg

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http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.com/

In the first photo above by Russell Hayes is there any reason why all 3 birds are not Common Redpoll?

Regards

Grahame