Confiding Snowballs - Hornemann's Arctic Redpolls

'Hornemanns' Arctic Redpoll - Aldeburgh, Suffolk 16th December 2012

This ludicrously obliging Snowball of a bird, often showing down to mere feet, landed on some ones ruck sack earlier in the morning apparently. 

Note the overall frosty appearance, unstreaked rump (save for a few faint lines), buffish wash to the face, relatively large bill for a redpoll, small black bib, small red cap and very long primary projection. 

'Hornemanns' probably represent the only 'real' Arcitc Redpoll with Coues Arctic Redpoll a close second but most likely not making the grade. This was easily one of the nest birds I saw in 2012. 









'Hornemanns' Arctic Redpoll - Burkle, Fair isle 25th September 2013

Following my first Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Suffolk the next year this stunner was seen in perfect conditions on the most famous of islands. What a belter.






'Hornemanns' Arctic Redpoll - School Brae, Fair isle 20th & 21st October 2019


Would seeing another Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll match up to the standards set by my previous two above; well the bird on Fair Isle late October exceeded all expectation and was perhaps the best of this current trio. What an absolute 'Olaf' .










'Hornemanns' Arctic Redpoll - Wester Lother and then Springfield, Fair isle 
September 2020


Some how horenemanii Arctic Polls just seem to get better and better. An absolute snowball was found at the top end of the island on North Westerly winds where it showed very well indeed. It was then joined by a second bird and both moved south to the Springfield, Busta, Brecks area where they continued to put on a performance.















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