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GC46263
Avian Rarities of Colorado--Hoary & Common RedpollType: Mystery | Size: Small 
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| Terrain:  By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 02/08/2013 | Status: Available Country: United States | State: Colorado Coordinates: N40° 36.600 W105° 03.100 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0 
This cache is NOT at the listed coordinates. Don’t go there, unless you enjoy walking on lake ice in the winter, or going for a swim with your GPS in the summer. Neither activity will get you to this cache. Read the instructions for locating this cache that are given near the end of the write-up. But first enjoy the following information about some avian jewels known as “redpolls”. Hoary Redpolls (Carduelis hornemanni) and Common Redpolls ( Carduelis flammea ) are small, active finches that nest in the far northern regions of the world. The Hoary lives in the high Arctic and when it’s in fresh plumage the bird has been likened to drifting snowflakes; it resembles “fluffy snowballs” when perched. The bird's dense, loose plumage and perching posture provide extra insulation for the harsh arctic conditions it endures. How the Hoary copes with the perpetual darkness of the arctic winter remains largely a mystery to ornithologists. Both Hoary and Common Redpolls have bright red foreheads – their “polls”. The Common Redpoll also nests in the high Arctic, but its breeding range extends southward throughout Alaska and northern Canada from the taiga into the northern boreal forests – well south of the nesting habitats of the Hoary Redpoll. In North America the distribution of Common Redpolls shows significant overlap with human populations only during deep winter, and then only in “irruption” periods that typically occur every other winter. During irruptions they make winter appearances to the northern Lower 48 States, and are occasionally seen at bird feeders in Colorado. The Hoary Redpoll shows similar irruptive winter dispersals, but its southward pushes are normally confined to the Canadian provinces. Prior to the current irruption in winter 2012-13, the species had not been documented in Colorado.  HOARY REDPOLL This winter, birders and ornithologists in the Lower 48 have been blessed with the most significant irruptive concentrations of redpolls recorded to date. Common Redpolls are being consistently observed at bird feeders at several locations in Colorado, and more than 650 individuals were tallied during the Colorado Christmas Bird Counts in December 2012. Beginning on December 23, 2012 some very pale individuals that fit the description of Hoary Redpolls have been repeatedly observed at feeders behind the Museum of Discovery in Fort Collins. Approximately 125 redpolls are attending these feeders, and four are believed by many observers to be Hoary Redpolls, possibly the first to ever be seen in our state. Although these four individuals seem to possess certain definitive field markings of Hoaries, considerable debate is extant amongst birders as to this specific designation. The issue will probably not be resolved until the Colorado Bird Records Committee studies all the field reports and photos, and renders its judgement. The committee will probably seek guidance from scientists who have field knowledge of the two species in their breeding ranges. The expectation is that Hoary Redpolls will be confirmed. In the meanwhile, lots of people are excited about the avian acrobats at the feeders behind the Museum of Discovery. You can become excited, too, by witnessing these avian treasures as you pursue finding this cache. Several caches are located close to the Museum of Discovery. The 528-foot cache separation rule precluded my locating a Traditional cache close to the museum. To locate this cache, use the following instructions:
Parking is available very close to the cache. If you are interested in seeing the redpolls while you are at the museum, go in the entrance doors wearing binoculars around your neck. Ask to see the redpolls, and the admission personnel will allow you to proceed through the building without a charge. Go to the vestibule of the rear doors and stand in this area to have close-up views! Enjoy these treasures. Then, find another treasure, the cache and its sign-in log! Additional Waypoints
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