The Hoary Redpoll and many other birds are not nearly as rare or uncommon
as their official status in Minnesota may say they are. However, their official
status will never change if birders don't send in documentation of their
sightings. If the bird being reported is listed as rare/accidental or whatever
then the MOU has to assume the sighting is not legit until documentation is
given. That is standard scientific protocol.
That is the great thing about birding. There are far more Hoary Redpolls,
Golden-crowned Sparrows, Snowy Owls, and Barrow's Goldeneyes (to name a
few recently reported sightings) than are reported or ever seen.
Let's get out there and find (or photograph) them.