Bird Gangs

The other day I got a call from a gentleman telling me that he had a flock (well I think he called it something like a gigantic gang) of Redpolls coming to his feeders. He said this gang was scaring his other birds away and he wanted to know if anyone else was reporting this. Seeing Redpolls in this area is somewhat unusual because these guys are usually seen further North, but if the conditions are right (food, weather, moon in Jupiter...) then they travel and they travel in gangs (ok, really, flocks). My caller let me know he has abundant cover and several well-stocked thistle feeders- that is why the gang is staying around.

Flocking for birds makes sense. If you have more eyes with you, you have a better chance of finding food and you have a better chance of finding out about nearby predators. I told the gentleman I felt for him because I know how expensive thistle is and how much of a pain it can be to have to fill your feeders everyday when you are getting eaten out of house and home. But it is kind of a rare event, so he is lucky and should try and enjoy them.