[mou] Hennepin Cty - possible hoary redpoll

[Chet Meyers]

This afternoon (Dec. 16) I drove Lakewood Cemetary in hopes of a few winter 
finches.  At the south end of the small lake I found a flock of about 50 
redpolls in one of the large birch trees between the road and the lake.  One 
caught my eye.  It was a male with limited pink on the breast and very faint 
streaking on the sides, giving it an overall pale look. Its undertail 
coverts were pure white and its head was also light. The flock flew off and 
I depaired, but then noticed that this bird remained.  Obviously it wanted 
to be viewed.  I moved around with my scope to get a better view of its rump 
which did have a few streaks, but very light. Observed the bird for about 
twenty minutes. Don't know if there is any significance to this bird 
remaining while all the others flew off, and I realize there are those damn 
gradations, but it looked like a hoary to me. Hope the flock stays around so 
others can make their judgment. The flock did come back just as I was 
leaving.
Chet Meyers
Hennepin County