Not being able to get to Hemstead since Wednesday I looked forward to going on Friday afternoon. As we approached the gateway there were so many cars parked along the roadside that we decided to go down to,the next gateway, which was empty, and walk in from there. We saw a goldcrest and heard a robin but no crossbills as we walked along the rides towards the clearing. Just as we got to the main ride we met DT who told us about the sightings of possibly 10 parrot crossbills, but no 2-barred, had just flown away. There were several fungi including this 'Lawyer's Wig'
Wandering down the track towards the crowds of people standing around we waited for an hour or so, chatting and catching up with the gossip as different groups of common crossbills flew around, the largest group numbering about 40, before news came that the 2-barred had been seen flying into the forest from the other side of the trees. We decided to stay and wait for the flock to work it's way through and soon a small flock of crossbills flew around, alighting in fir tree tops and the oak tree and then a 2- barred crossbill was located in the trees to the left of the entrance track. Good scope views but no chance for a photograph, even moving closer. It was sighted a few times after that and heard flying over among a flock of about 40 common crossbills.
A small group of crossbills flew to the western edge of the clearing and these proved to be 5 parrot crossbills which spent a little while ripping cones off the trees and tearing them to pieces before flying back towards the trees above the drinking pool but couldn't be re-located.
When I got home and checked my pictures I found that I had managed to catch the 2-barred in flight, not the best picture I've ever taken.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wandering down the track towards the crowds of people standing around we waited for an hour or so, chatting and catching up with the gossip as different groups of common crossbills flew around, the largest group numbering about 40, before news came that the 2-barred had been seen flying into the forest from the other side of the trees. We decided to stay and wait for the flock to work it's way through and soon a small flock of crossbills flew around, alighting in fir tree tops and the oak tree and then a 2- barred crossbill was located in the trees to the left of the entrance track. Good scope views but no chance for a photograph, even moving closer. It was sighted a few times after that and heard flying over among a flock of about 40 common crossbills.
A small group of crossbills flew to the western edge of the clearing and these proved to be 5 parrot crossbills which spent a little while ripping cones off the trees and tearing them to pieces before flying back towards the trees above the drinking pool but couldn't be re-located.
When I got home and checked my pictures I found that I had managed to catch the 2-barred in flight, not the best picture I've ever taken.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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