Wildlife in Peterborough - Redpoll, Osprey, and Mink

Our maple sap-collecting concluded yesterday after spending almost 12 hours boiling the sap we collected for the past weeks.  It was quite an experience, and I will never again under-appreciate how precious maple syrup is. 

In the morning, looking out the back porch, I saw little birds jumping around the branches, so I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a few photos.

I think it is a Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) because of the streaked rump and pattern of streaks on undertail coverts (from other photos not shown here), as oppose to Hoary Redpoll.  Cute birds.

On my way to school, I saw the Ospreys back to occupying the platforms above the stadium.

Along the way, I spotted this mammal poking its head from the understory along the river.  I was very excited and quickly took some photos of it.  I knew it was some kind of mustelid, but wasn't sure what species it was.  In the end I lost it in the more dense vegetation along the sloping river bank.  I believe it is an American mink (Neovison vison), which I last photographed more than four years ago.  What a sighting!