I think you're right.

I just posted the Winter Finch Forecast for 2012-2013. It says

"COMMON REDPOLL: There should be a good southward flight because the white birch seed crop is poor to fair across the north. Watch for redpolls on birches and in weedy fields and at bird feeders offering nyger (preferred) and black oil sunflower seeds."

I've been seeing a Red-breasted Nuthatch for a few months now and I saw one Pine Siskin a while ago. Neither is a regular here but they come in irruptive years.

It's not unreasonable for a redpoll to fly to NJ if it's hungry enough.

Claire

Thanks! I thought so but since this is the first one I've seen at my feeder, I wasn't sure. :o)

Oh boy, thanks for that news Claire. I didn't see any Redpolls last year, but the year before I was inundated with them. It was awesome to have thirty or more of them on my deck. They liked the nyjer seed. And like you, I am also seeing Red-Breasted Nuthatches here for the first time. They are adorable. They like the black oil sunflower and the suet.

I spoke too soon. The Common Redpolls showed up this morning (MA). I love those little birds.

Great! Maybe they'll work their way down to Plymouth, MA.

Claire

Yes, this is a male Common Redpoll. It's been an irruptive year for them as someone already pointed out. We've had sightings here in Kansas this winter too. Awesome find. Good eyes. Thanks for sharing the photo.

I've had a little Red breasted Nuthatch visiting pretty regularly for the past month or so here too. Haven't seen any other irruptive birds yet though.

We're seeing a few we haven't seen in a couple years too. Redpoll, earlier in the season. A red breasted nuthatch or two is a regular this winter, and the butter butts just showed up.