Only 25 percent of urban feeders hosted redpolls during more than one FeederWatch observation period, compared to 40 percent of rural feeders. A number of other site characteristics were associated with whether or not redpolls stayed at feeders. Large count areas were more likely than small count areas to have redpolls during more than one observation period. Redpolls were more likely to visit quiet feeders than feeders disturbed by squirrels, cats, and people. This study helped us understand the dynamics of winter redpoll invasions.
Many questions remain, however.
We hope to answer these and many other questions using the data from your Site Registration Forms. So, as you fill in your 1995-96 form, remember that it's an important contribution to our knowledge of the ecology of the birds that winter in North America. Further Reading Fretwell, S. D., and H. L. Lucas. On territorial behavior and other factors influencing habitat distribution in birds. Acta Biotheortica, vol.