While on the phone just before noon, a tight flock swirled by outside. 
Trying to maintain focus on the call, I grabbed the camera and fired off 
a few shots during the few seconds that the flock was visible. Only 
later was it apparent that they were Common Redpolls.

For anyone interested in what a flock of 149 redpolls looks like, the 
image is posted in the Vermont eBird pool (link below). Counting from 
such an image is easy, and the total is higher than I would have guessed.
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/36866981@N03/5594167622/in/pool-vtebird>

Later this afternoon I saw an estimated 150 American Robins in 2 groups, 
feeding on bare ground along Bragg Hill Road.

Lastly, our first Fox Sparrow of 2011 spent the afternoon below our 
feeders, joined by several newly-arrived song sparrows. The fox and one 
song didn't go to roost until at least 7:30pm.

Doug Hardy, Norwich

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