Birch seeds are the main food for Redpolls in the winter months. Last summer a lot of birch seeds matured in the natural Icelandic forests so there is still enough food for them. Redpolls have not been seen in any numbers in gardens and there has been some concern that their numbers are decreasing.

Last winter was harsh and natural feed scarce. The numbers of Redpolls decreased considerably but the drop was far from drastic. In the last few weeks Redpolls have come in the garden in search of food on our feeding trays. The most we have seen recently is 18 birds together.

The Redpolls gather round the feeding tray and we make sure there are enough sunflower seeds for everyone. We haven’t had so many Redpolls in the garden since January. Where did they go? We don’t know but this morning there have been more than one hundred.

They woke us early this morning because they are louder and fighting among themselves, a sign that it is almost spring.

In the last few days temperatures have been dropping and snowfall on and off everyday.  We are waiting for spring and hoping for a summer this year. Last year summer was a total letdown so we do not know what to expect but we are full of hope. The photoes are taken this morning.

This winter the Redpolls in the garden have been from around 40 up to 100. This one posed so peacefully on a branch just outside the living room window.