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Message: <blockquote data-quote="deborah4" data-source="post: 1400319" data-attributes="member: 29880">Perhaps you haven't seen a flock feed in this way in winter but they do fly to and fro from the ground to trees.You may be interested in this:One of the most important anatomical adaptations that allow Redpolls to thrive in severe cold weather is their esophageal diverticulum, a partially bi-lobed pocket situated in their neck. Redpolls use the esophageal diverticulum to store seeds, especially before nightfall or before a storm. The extra seeds allow them to “feed” while sheltering from the cold. The birds knock seeds from trees, gather the seeds from the ground and store them in the esophageal diverticulum. They then fly to a sheltered spot where they can regurgitate, shell, and consume the seeds at leisure while protected from predators and harsh weather conditions.<a href="http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods//photos/redpoll.htm" target="_blank">http://www.wbu.com/chipperwoods//photos/redpoll.htm</a></blockquote>