Redpoll

An interesting looking Redpoll turned up in my back garden in Monaleen, Limerick last Sunday, 29/3/2015.  It stood out from the usual Redpolls Carduelis flammea cabaret that come in to feed on the niger seed that gets spilt from the feeders by the visiting Goldfinches.  It had a colder cast to it's plumage and was noticeably bigger (approaching Goldfinch size) and bulkier.  It also tended to keep to itself when feeding and coming and going from the garden.

This bird appears to have some of the characteristics of the Mealy Redpoll Carduelis flammea flammea.  As the subspecific identification of Redpoll Carduelis flammea  looks to be fairly challenging any views on this bird would be welcome.