Large flock of Redpolls Jan 5

[Gord]

First thing yesterday morning I was checking the gulls who were enjoying the soaking wet fields on Sumas Central Road when a large flock of Common Redpolls flew over. The flock was close to 40 strong and all spoke redpoll. Had to say that all were and the lighting was poor to see any details, but didnt hear a siskin call out the whole time. Amazing how many of these birds there are around. This was at Sumas Central and Evans Road where they flew from the direction of the mall and continued more or less westwards.

[bandj]

Hi Gord,

I love your comment "all spoke redpoll!" Bryan and I were at Deas Island yesterday and like you, encountered a large flock of redpoll feasting on alder cones and catkins. We estimated at least 60 birds. I was enjoying their flock sounds, much gentler than siskins, although just as busy. Their babble would make a great background sound for a relaxation tape.

But, there ended the relaxation bit. Having read the thread about Common vs Hoary redpolls in the ID section, we spent ages with our necks cricked at the most unlikely angles trying to compare undertails and flank barring. Bryan alternated between binoculars, scope, and camera, in an effort to capture a snapshot of the few really light coloured birds. You can imagine how it went since the flock was HUNGRY and ACTIVE!

In the end we saw a huge variety of markings, but we doubt we saw any Hoary. When the side barring was almost non-existent the undertails were smudgy, and when the pink was light and the undertails seemed white we'd notice good strong flank barring.

There were very few siskins - that really surprised me.

Here are a few photos of lighter birds:







On a non-redpoll note, do you have any idea what thousands of gulls might have been feeding on in the Fraser River yesterday? It was an awesome sight. They would lift up a low distance, fly forward into a hover with feet dangling, then plunge down to the river and poke their head into the waves. Was this a herring run?

Cheers; enjoy the site as always,

Janet (Vancouver)

[Gord]

Bryan and Janet, great to hear from you as always. Nice pictures and sounds like you had fun examining the redpolls. Ive included a couple links below that give some thoughts on the two species. This would be the year to study them!

www.sibleyguides.com/2008/01/more-on-redpolls/

www.sibleyguides.com/2008/01/a-character-index-for-redpoll-identification/

Yesterday at Island 22 there was a flock of 38 Common Redpolls. They were in a alder tree first when I saw them and though the binoculars I couldnt see a siskin. When they flew I was able to get a count. Interestingly nearby, there was a flock of close to 80 Pine Siskins and there was not one redpoll that I was able to see. A few minutes later a small flock of redpoll flew over numbering about eight birds.

Not sure what the gulls could have been feeding on. When the salmon and spawning, this is exactly how they feed when catching loose eggs floating downstream. At this time of year though Im not sure. In the spring there is a large insect hatch that also gets similar behaviour, but again, time of year is wrong. Let us know if you find out; it must have been a significant food source to get that kind of gull attention.

[bandj]

A fellow birder forwarded our question about what the gulls were feeding on to Terry Slack, a long time fisherperson. We received a wonderful reply, in full below:

Hi All It is probably a small piece of the Salish Sea run of Winter Pacific Herring, that gets pushed into the lower river on a big flood tide ! As soon as the tide turns and fresh water dominates some of the lower water column , the herring come close to the surface to escape the fresh water and its a feeding frenzy for Eagles , Gulls , Harbor Seals etc. etc. etc . and it lasts until the river flushes out most of the Tidal Salt Water Wedge ! The Herring in the river event takes a very short time and all of a sudden the gulls and Eagles go back to what they were doing ! I have seen the same event in the North Arm of the Fraser River, with Point Grey Winter Herring being flushed into the river on a big Flood tide, during the last week in Dec. or the first week in Jan. ! The herring feeding Gulls attract Bald Eagles and probably other species ! Do the herring die big time from fresh water , probably not, but have to get out of the river, close to the surface very quickly ! Great for Janet to see this very special winter herring event in the river , not too many people see it or understand it ! I have seen Winter herring in the lower North Arm, up as far as Marpole , but only about 3 or 4 times. It’s a quick Christmas dinner for Gulls and Eagles , oh yes I probably missed it this year in the North Arm ! Thankyou for passing this on , the river is still full of surprises, is still alive , and a great winter provider for many species ! The next winter fish run to enter the Fraser River will be in Feb. and March, hey guess what species will come in to spawn above NewWestminster ! Hope this is helpful Terry


And a second message from Terry
No Fraser River Oolichan , way too early , No Fraser River Starry Flounder too early for the spawn and the eggs , No Big Fin Smelts too early and they spawn in Pitt and Harrison Lake ! Winter Herring yes , but will they spawn in the lower River near Steveston , not sure ! What could they spawn on, how about Pilings, Rip Rap bank erosion control , boat bottoms and wharves , yes Winter Herring do just that, but I think in a mostly all salt water environment ! A great place to blow me right out of the river water, would be looking for Herring spawn at the river side only, off the Steveston and Iona Jetty ! Yes there is lots of lovely Fucas "Rock Weed" Popum Weed , all over the lower jetty and herring do spawn on it ! Please pass on this email to all that are interested in Winter Herring ! I am interested and will check out the Iona Jetty ! Want to come on a low tide ? Terry

[Gord]

Very informative! I never knew that this happened and was amazed to read about it. Thanks, Terry and to Bryan and Janet for passing it along.