Common (Mealy) Redpoll (LBRC)

Common Redpoll (formerly known as Mealy Redpoll) was split by the BOU from Lesser Redpoll A. cabaret back in 2001 but confusion about the species still occurs and birds are only accepted in Lincolnshire with supporting evidence, either a ringer’s report, photograph or description. It breeds all across the boreal zone of the northern hemisphere, but not in the British Isles.  Over the 10 years to 2018 there was only one year, 2011 that could be described as an invasion year. In that year there were 156 birds, of which the largest flock (not only in that year, but the whole decade) was 30 birds at Waters Edge Country Park, Barton Pits on February 12th, 2011. In the other nine years numbers ranged from one in 2015 to 40 in 2013. The overall average over the decade was 33 per year reducing to 20 omitting the invasion year. Other large flocks reported were 20 at Donna Nook on October 12th, 2013 and 20 at Laughton Forest on February 14th, 2017 where five birds remained until March 10th.