On the morning of Saturday, March 12, I glanced at my bird feeding station and caught a glimpse of a new pattern, so I stopped to look harder. There, about 10 feet away, was a new bird for my yard: a Common Redpoll. I knew this was quite unusual and so I began the rare bird alert procedure. I also decided to call George Wheaton and Henry & Elizabeth Link, all expert birders, hoping they would come to verify my sighting. They came and we had a great time watching the female Common Redpoll as she returned to the feeder time after time, usually in the company of a flock of Purple Finches. She fed ravenously on black oil sunflower seeds and was a staunch defender of her position in the feeder, yielding to none.

Upon advice from George and Henry, I posted this sighting on the Carolina Bird Club website, which resulted in a posting to the e-Bird website. Soon there were many folks calling, e-mailing, and showing up at the house to see a life bird or to be part of this very rare event. We even had a bit of a party Sunday evening. The last sighting of the redpoll was by Phil Dickinson at about 8:15 a.m. on Monday, March 15. Our uncommon visitor is most probably on her way north to breed and nest in the Sub-Arctic. Hope she remembers to stop by again next year!

             --Julien McCarthy