John Nelson Good Thunder MN South of Mankato MN
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On Thursday I did not fill sacks or feeders and watched theemptied to
within inches of empty, it became quite chaotic late in the day.
Friday I removed all but three sacks and two feeders which I filled.
Numbers were greatly reduced during the day with the highest count 81.
Also four Pine Siskins not seen in several weeks and 9 Goldfinches
after having only 1-2 for the same period. In the past few years
weekly counts of the latter have typically been in the 20-50 range.
Saturday morning we woke up to a nice 3" coating of snow and
pandemonium as we watched an estimated 150-200 Red Polls fighting for
a place to eat. As many as 17 hanging on each 18" Nyjer sack and the
ground looking like a living carpet. I reported 568 in my 4 day GBBC
counts and I found counts like that only far to Northern MN and Canada-
with one exception-a single count of 145 from another 56037 (Good
Thunder) site. I doubt this was a coincidence and wish I knew who it
was to compare notes over the past month. The question is why has this
blessing from the birdistributors occured in an area where we have
rarely seen Red Polls at all. I'm going to miss the joy of standing on
the deck in the midst of the busy, chirping little creatures and can
only hope I live long enough to see it happen again
