Common Redpoll in September
Where redpolls are in September, whether they are nesting, and the best foods to offer right now.
September in the Common Redpoll's year
September is the peak of fall migration. Huge numbers of birds move south on cold fronts, mixed flocks form, and summer residents slip away almost unnoticed. Young birds making their first migration appear in places the species rarely visits.
For the Common Redpoll specifically, September is a fall month of relative routine, with the species settled into its seasonal pattern across its range. Across the 29 states and provinces where redpolls occur, what the bird is doing this month depends heavily on latitude — the details below break it down by band.
Where redpolls are in September
- Southern states
- absent
- Mid-latitudes
- mostly absent (migration only)
- Northern states & Canada
- absent
In September, redpolls are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across the mid-latitudes, and absent in the northern states and Canada. That north–south split is the defining feature of this month: where you live changes which version of this bird you're looking at.
Nesting in September
Redpolls are not nesting in September. The season runs June–July at mid-latitudes.
Outside the nesting season, redpolls put their energy into feeding and flocking rather than territory and young — which is exactly what makes them easier to watch and attract this month.
What to feed in September
- Seeds and insects on the tundra
Redpolls survive −60°F nights with a throat pouch that stores seed; they arrive at feeders in irruption winters.
Migrants passing through may stop at feeders for a day and never return — September rewards watching closely. Natural seed and fruit crops are abundant, so feeder traffic can be uneven.
Full Common Redpoll diet guide → · Best feeder for redpolls →
Watching redpolls this month
Redpolls are settled and predictable in September, which makes this a good month to learn the bird's routine — same feeders, same perches, same times of day.
The state guides below show exactly where in your region redpolls are expected this month and which native plants hold them in a yard.
Common Redpoll month by month
Common Redpoll by state
Frequently asked
Where are redpolls in September?
In September, redpolls are absent in the South, mostly absent (migration only) across mid-latitudes and absent in the North.
Do redpolls nest in September?
No — redpolls typically nest June through July at mid-latitudes.
What do redpolls eat in September?
Seeds and insects on the tundra.
Sources
- Common Redpoll — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Redpoll life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Redpoll — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.