This morning at ~8:30 I observed a pair of birds at the edge of Beaver 
Meadow Road ~4-5 miles out from Norwich, just before the road drops down 
into West Norwich and near the intersection with Stagecoach Road. As the 
birds flew up in front of our car, the most prominent marking on the 
reddish male was a pronounced and bright red rump patch. When perched, 
the bills looked relatively thick, and the birds overall size was about 
right for pine grosbeaks. Unfortunately (and atypically) I did not have 
binos along. Other species considered, and deemed less similar to what I 
saw, are Purple Finch and Red Crossbills.

The birds were not present at ~3 when Spencer dashed off in search of 
them, but anyone passing by this section of road should keep an eye out. 
Spencer reports seeing suitable food and habitat there.

Doug Hardy