Dove Stone RSPB (including Binn Green and environs)
bernard hooley said
Mon Apr 14 9:18 PM, 2014
two barred crossbill drinking from puddle on carpark at 2.00 pm nice to meet steve judge and roger baker
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 14 5:05 PM, 2014
Male Two-barred Crossbill showed in Larch besides the viewing area at 3:15 pm today.
Info thanks to Roger Baker
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Apr 14 1:50 PM, 2014
And in response to a question I saw earlier (steve christmas I think) the two-barred crossbill is left-billed (upper mandible goes over left of lower mandible - hope I've got that right!)
Tanmay Dixit said
Mon Apr 14 1:38 PM, 2014
Two-barred crossbill showing well from 1pm to present. No common crossbill present.
Also 1 curlew, 3 brambling (2m, 1f, one of the males in virtual s/pl), many siskin, 2+ lesser redpoll (1m, 1f- male was very pink on breast). Also all the common finches and tits on feeders. Peregrine spotted earlier.
Thanks to the lovely RSPB staff and vols for a nice chat, and Dave especially for spotting the bird and pointing it out. Will send my (poor) pictures to them for the RSPB site. I spoke to them about their plans for the reserve, it's great work that they're doing! :)
Oh, and what I'm hesitantly calling a bank vole by the feeders, pulling up plants and carrying them to its hole. Lovely :)
Zoe Barrett said
Sun Apr 13 10:31 PM, 2014
Today at 13.00 hours approx: two-barred crossbill in larch tree to the right of feeding station. moments later female common crossbill appeared in same tree. at feeding station: 2 brambling 2 lesser redpoll Chaffinches goldfinches greenfinches 2 siskin great spotted woodpecker Coal and blue tits in plantation saw treecreepers. sadly no ring ouzel at Chew or wheatear A few singing willow warblers around
Tanmay Dixit said
Sun Apr 13 9:36 PM, 2014
Ollie - I had seen two-barred and parrot months before I saw common (this March). I'm not sure whether that's a good or bad thing, but it's a nice oddity, in my opinion anyway. You can imagine the stick I got from other birders during the period of about 3-4 months when I'd seen the two rarities but not common crossbill! Nice to have someone in a similar position (there are very few people I know who were in the same position as me) :)
Ollie Wright said
Sun Apr 13 7:47 PM, 2014
I was also there to see the Two-barred Crossbill and Common Crossbill this afternoon, as per Karl and Andrew's posts. Two life ticks, brilliant - there can't be many birders who saw a Two-barred before they saw a Common!
A Brambling at the feeders was the nearest I've seen to an adult male in breeding plumage.
Three Swallows flying past the viewing platform were my first of the year.
Andrew Mitchell said
Sun Apr 13 4:39 PM, 2014
Cracking day at Binn Green and then on a walk up to Chew Reservoir.
Binn Green:
1 Two-barred Crossbill in the larches on the viewing platform. Showed very briefly at 11am-ish, and then for much longer (and very well) at 12:50 as Karl mentions. It's a terrific looking bird, really bright red plumage. 1 Common Crossbill (f), again showing well at 12:50 2 Brambling (at least) 2 Lesser Redpoll (at least) 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Bullfinch (m)
Plus plenty of Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. No sign of any Willow or Marsh Tit.
Dovestone to Chew Reservoir:
Countless Meadow Pipits on the walk up 2 Skylark 1 Pied Wagtail 3 or 4 Red Grouse at the top near the reservoir, squabbling and displaying. Great to see the big red eyebrows on show. 1 Stonechat (f) on the way back down.
Karl Bishop said
Sun Apr 13 3:15 PM, 2014
Tony Coatsworth wrote:
Yes - I've done that Real Ale trail as well - 6 pints at lunchtime really sets you up for a crazy afternoon, but I remember getting to Leeds, and back to Manchester with all my clothing intact !
The Tomothy Taylors Landlord in the station bar at Dewsbury is one of the best pints ive ever had (and ive had a few .......)
Anyway back on track.......
The male Two Barred Crossbill and a female Common Crossbill made a reappearance at 12.50 in larches to the left of the viewing fence
Cheers
Karl
C Brown said
Sun Apr 13 1:54 PM, 2014
The two barred crossbill showed twice, briefly, between ten o' clock and 11 am this morning, in the larches right by the viewing fence. The first time with two crossbills, the second time alone.
Regards, Chris
Vaughan Evans said
Sun Apr 13 10:08 AM, 2014
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Vaughan Evans wrote:
Hi Ian,
have Marsh Tit always been scarce in the Manchester area? They were regular visitors to my parents garden in Hale Barns in the 1970's..
In the 70's (and possibly before) there seems to have been a small resident population in the south east of the county but there was a decline for whatever reason and it has become the serious county rarity it now is. Take a look at this link for a little more detail (of kind):
Yes - I've done that Real Ale trail as well - 6 pints at lunchtime really sets you up for a crazy afternoon, but I remember getting to Leeds, and back to Manchester with all my clothing intact !
Two-barred Crossbill was a lifer for me as well. Also 3 GM ticks in a day (Common Crossbill + Red Grouse )
200 is still a long way off but only 32 to go - maybe 10 years off at this rate, but they get harder :(
Simon Gough said
Sat Apr 12 6:54 PM, 2014
Yeah it's on 99 for GM now, in just over a year. Little bit of effort required to compete with the likes of yourself and some other folk I've met today, Mark did more than that in a day, did he not?
What a great way to spend a day though. I returned to reality at Greenfield Station where a fellow passenger decided to strip naked on the platform. Well done to the person who invented the Real Ale Trail!
John Rayner said
Sat Apr 12 6:43 PM, 2014
Simon Gough wrote:
So a quality day for me ....
5 new birds in a day eh, Simon, it doesn't get much better than that. Time to get that GM list in to Ian
Cheers John
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 12 6:23 PM, 2014
The Two-barred Crossbill was a lifer for me Simon. Glad you got some more good sightings in today. I couldn't be 100% about that Gull, that's why I've gone for probable.
Simon Gough said
Sat Apr 12 6:07 PM, 2014
Great to meet lots of forum members today, I did my usual trick of grilling everyone with questions. For John Rayner and Mark Rigby's benefit, I saw some Lesser Redpoll after you'd left, 3 in fact, which I picked up from the call you played me, so thanks, must seem like primary school teaching to you but great for me.
Rob, I'd forgotten about that gull. The wing tips were completely white, I saw the bird cover 100m or so in the air with a clear view of it and unless Black-Headed Gulls ever have totally white wing tips then maybe it was a Mediterranean Gull. I wouldn't want to call it as such though on that view alone.
Walked over the top to Chew Res when you and Tony left. In addition to your list, although I missed Brambling:
1 Wheatear at Ashway Gap, pristine male, first of the year for me 5 Red Grouse, including 1 male on the ground with red eyebrows in full effect 10-12 Meadow Pipit singles 1 Golden Plover on the top of the moor 1 Oystercatcher in fields by the car park at the Dove Stones Reservoir
The last two are GM ticks for me. The Plover looked really cool in summer plumage, calling just like Mr Rigby whistled it! The Crossbills and Redpoll were lifers by the way
So a quality day for me
Thanks again for the advice and chat
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 12 6:06 PM, 2014
Roger Baker 3 wrote:
No sign of Willow or Marsh Tit, but plenty of the usuals knocking about including Coal Tit. ..........................................................................................................................................
I'm treating this insinuating little remark with the contempt that it deserves !
Roger.
Not quite sure how to take that Roger, it's merely part of my sightings post, I didn't see a Willow Tit, or a Marsh Tit, but there were a few Coal Tits around the feeders with a lot of the usual species including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit!
Roger Baker 3 said
Sat Apr 12 5:35 PM, 2014
No sign of Willow or Marsh Tit, but plenty of the usuals knocking about including Coal Tit. ..........................................................................................................................................
I'm treating this insinuating little remark with the contempt that it deserves !
Roger.
Rob Creek said
Sat Apr 12 12:48 PM, 2014
Nice to meet everyone up here, including Simon Gough and Tony Coatsworth.
Male Two-barred Crossbill with 2 Common Crossbill showing well in the Larches to the left of the viewing point at 11am for a good few minutes. Then again at 11.41am for only about a minute or so. A final appearance whilst I was there was put in at around 12.15pm when the 3 birds flew over us and into the trees near the feeders but we lost them.
Other birds: 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Jay 1 Peregrine 1 Brambling 1 Lesser Redpoll 10-15 Siskin 1 Red Grouse located by another birder feeding amongst the rocks on the cliff face opposite the viewing area ...and a probable Med Gull first spotted by Simon Gough drifting down towards the res. At first I thought it was a Black-headed Gull, but a brief second glance before it vanished behind the trees seemed to indicate all white wings. Difficult to tell.
No sign of Willow or Marsh Tit, but plenty of the usuals knocking about including Coal Tit.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 12th of April 2014 12:51:15 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 12th of April 2014 12:52:37 PM
JSPALDING said
Sat Apr 12 12:02 PM, 2014
The two barred crossbill with common crossbill showing well at 11 am.
Stephen Fuentes said
Sat Apr 12 10:45 AM, 2014
The Two-barred Crossbill gave good views around 9.15 this morning, first perching at the top of the Larch to the left of the viewing platform, then moving over towards the area by the feeders, for around 5 minutes before disappearing off again. On this occasion, the bird was alone, and not associating with any Common Crossbills. Third time lucky for me.
No sign of any Marsh or Willow tits though.
Nice to meet some of the forum regulars there Mark Rigby and John Rayner, and also Steve Costa.
Cheers,
Steve.
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 12 9:41 AM, 2014
Male Two-barred Crossbill still present at Binn Green this morning.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
Ian McKerchar said
Sat Apr 12 9:09 AM, 2014
Vaughan Evans wrote:
Hi Ian,
have Marsh Tit always been scarce in the Manchester area? They were regular visitors to my parents garden in Hale Barns in the 1970's..
In the 70's (and possibly before) there seems to have been a small resident population in the south east of the county but there was a decline for whatever reason and it has become the serious county rarity it now is. Take a look at this link for a little more detail (of kind):
Quick visit this afternoon and was lucky enough to see the Two-Barred Crossbill unaccumpanied between 4-4.20pm, looking splendid in the evening sunshine.
Amongst several Siskin, Redpoll and Chaffinch.
John
Vaughan Evans said
Fri Apr 11 2:02 PM, 2014
Hi Ian,
have Marsh Tit always been scarce in the Manchester area? They were regular visitors to my parents garden in Hale Barns in the 1970's..
John Doherty said
Fri Apr 11 1:37 PM, 2014
No Crossbills mid-morning.
Consolations were 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 singing Willow Warblers, 2 Jays, 2 Nuthatches and one Curlew heard, plus one Raven seen. There was a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the feeders, plus regulars. Brambling Siskin and Kestrel seen by others,
Stephen Fuentes said
Fri Apr 11 10:38 AM, 2014
Just to add to the Marsh/Willow tit debate, a friend of mine was there last Saturday and told me he saw what he just assumed was a Willow tit at the feeders. That was while he was ticking off the Two-barred crossbill, and an hour before I was there dipping it for the second time.
Cheers,
Steve.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of April 2014 11:33:37 AM
bernard hooley said
Fri Apr 11 8:18 AM, 2014
sorry,it was tuesday, wednesday was watergrove where i dipped on the shrike
bernard hooley said
Thu Apr 10 7:24 PM, 2014
i was there on wednesday and got a brief view of the bird i thought it was a marsh tit
Andrew Mitchell said
Thu Apr 10 2:40 PM, 2014
Simon,
When I was there at the weekend, the Two-barred Crossbill was associating with a small group of 4 Common Crossbills, two males and two females. Good luck!
Simon Gough said
Thu Apr 10 2:34 PM, 2014
Hi all,
I've never seen Common Crossbill before, never mind Two-barred. Can I assume that there are still a few Common Crossbill about with this obliging visitor to the county? I'm heading up on Saturday and I'd be just as happy to see either.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 10th of April 2014 04:40:14 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Apr 10 12:36 PM, 2014
Male Two-barred Crossbill showed really well at Binn Green at 12:30 today but no sign of Willow/Marsh Tit.
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
Ian McKerchar said
Thu Apr 10 9:56 AM, 2014
No sign of Willow/Marsh Tit in a couple of hours this morning.
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
JamieDunning said
Wed Apr 9 11:12 PM, 2014
They've been claimed a fair bit, as have golden eagles... There was a sighting reported on twitter a few weeks ago, now with a few further sightings on this occasion its starting to look quite exciting.
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 11:41:07 PM
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 9 11:00 PM, 2014
I hear a rumour a 'Marsh Tit' had been claimed here a couple of weeks ago too...
JamieDunning said
Wed Apr 9 10:52 PM, 2014
This would be a fantastic record for us at Dove Stone, dare i say more so than a Two-barred crossbill. It is a bird that is often confused with fleeting glimpses of Coal tits by visitors to the site, (I've just spoken with Roger on the phone and I'm not accusing anyone here of mixing these two species up) care must be taken at Binn green & patience with RSPB staff that tell you they aren't found here! Anyone who has seen one elsewhere will know that they morphologically distinct in their stature and behaviour to coal tits. It would be interesting to know before the photos of the potential Pocile come flooding in where the nearest confirmed resident territory of both Marsh and Willow tits are in proximity to DS?
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 10:54:52 PM
graeme robertson said
Wed Apr 9 9:32 PM, 2014
Saw this bird over the weekend in the same spot and had the same discussion willow or marsh, with another birder. We went for marsh due to lack of white wing patch, but only a fleeting sighting did not stay still for long. I will watch this thread with interest.
Paul Heaton said
Wed Apr 9 7:22 PM, 2014
Roger , thank you , I know the spot you mean , will stake it out and see what happens . Thanks
brian fielding said
Wed Apr 9 6:59 PM, 2014
anyone planning on having a look tomorrow?.a bit difficult for me between night shifts until saturday but will go if marsh tit confirmed.
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Apr 9 6:06 PM, 2014
If I don't get chance to get up again for a few days a little information for anyone else up there.
I was on the car-park ...... sat on the rocks on the L/hand side as you drive on so that I could watch the larches to the left of the viewing platform.
The tit would then have been between myself and the path down to the viewing platform.
Hope this helps.
Roger.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Apr 9 5:46 PM, 2014
It will be a highly important record whichever species it is (Willow or Marsh) as there has never been a record submitted of either from this area (the closest records probably being Piethorne Valley and Daisy Nook; occurences at both of which are best classed as rare). Marsh Tit has not been confirmed in the county for just over nine years!
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Apr 9 5:30 PM, 2014
Hiya Paul,
I've not got much experience with these and both sightings were only quick but clear enough to id that it was either Willow or Marsh Tit.
I'm going off the call only ....... best I can say it was like an irate Blue Tit but louder.
I've been playing with Xeno-Canto for past 30 mins and still think Marsh ??
I also saw one here in 2009 that I thought was a Marsh Tit.
As I was leaving I asked the handful of birders who were arriving to keep their eyes open for it as I would have liked a few more opinions myself. Don't know if anyone saw anything ?
Roger.
Paul Heaton said
Wed Apr 9 11:53 AM, 2014
Roger Baker 3
A calling Marsh Tit seen twice around the feeders.
Roger.
Now thats sounds interesting, as a major Greater Manchester rarity, actually as a rare bird indeed, would love to know if it was seen well enough,? for full confirmation. before I spend hours leaning against a tree
Roger Baker 3 said
Wed Apr 9 9:51 AM, 2014
Weds April 9th. 07.00 - 09.15 hrs.
No sight or sound of any Crossbills.
A calling Marsh Tit seen twice around the feeders.
Roger.
John Taylor said
Tue Apr 8 2:38 PM, 2014
No sign of Two-barred Crossbill up until 12.00
John Doherty said
Mon Apr 7 5:00 PM, 2014
Next on was Two Barred Crossbill. I was going to dig deep but BLAM! rainclouds descended upon the entire reservoir and it battered it down. Here now with coffee egg and toast and warmth, it doesn't seem that bad, but it was... it prevented more than a decent scout for the bird, but I hope to return.
Consolations:
Smart M Brambling at feeder; 1 Fieldfare landed on conifers much to the chagrin of local Mistle Thrushes; 2 separate Curlews flew south calling etc etc etc
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Apr 7 9:00 AM, 2014
This morning the Two-barred Crossbill flew in with 4 Common Crossbills at 8:45 and stayed till 8:50. Also at least nine Brambling flew in at 7:30.
Info thanks to Gary Crowder
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 6 6:54 PM, 2014
Ian McKerchar wrote:
Rob Creek wrote: Two-Barred Crossbill showing very well...somewhere else, coz it certainly wasn't showing here!!!
Wasn't showing whilst you were there Rob
It hasn't shown at all for me Ian, it has a knack of disappearing when I arrive!
Ian McKerchar said
Sun Apr 6 5:28 PM, 2014
Rob Creek wrote: Two-Barred Crossbill showing very well...somewhere else, coz it certainly wasn't showing here!!!
Wasn't showing whilst you were there Rob
Rob Creek said
Sun Apr 6 4:33 PM, 2014
Nice to meet some familiar faces today.
Two-Barred Crossbill showing very well...somewhere else, coz it certainly wasn't showing here!!!
Birds of note: Peregrine Kestrel Buzzard Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Lesser Redpoll Siskin Brambling Raven Plus usuals
Info thanks to Roger Baker
moments later female common crossbill appeared in same tree.
at feeding station:
2 brambling
2 lesser redpoll
Chaffinches
goldfinches
greenfinches
2 siskin
great spotted woodpecker
Coal and blue tits
in plantation saw treecreepers.
sadly no ring ouzel at Chew or wheatear
A few singing willow warblers around
A Brambling at the feeders was the nearest I've seen to an adult male in breeding plumage.
Three Swallows flying past the viewing platform were my first of the year.
Binn Green:
1 Two-barred Crossbill in the larches on the viewing platform. Showed very briefly at 11am-ish, and then for much longer (and very well) at 12:50 as Karl mentions. It's a terrific looking bird, really bright red plumage.
1 Common Crossbill (f), again showing well at 12:50
2 Brambling (at least)
2 Lesser Redpoll (at least)
3 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Bullfinch (m)
Plus plenty of Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. No sign of any Willow or Marsh Tit.
Dovestone to Chew Reservoir:
Countless Meadow Pipits on the walk up
2 Skylark
1 Pied Wagtail
3 or 4 Red Grouse at the top near the reservoir, squabbling and displaying. Great to see the big red eyebrows on show.
1 Stonechat (f) on the way back down.
The Tomothy Taylors Landlord in the station bar at Dewsbury is one of the best pints ive ever had (and ive had a few .......)
Anyway back on track.......
The male Two Barred Crossbill and a female Common Crossbill made a reappearance at 12.50 in larches to the left of the viewing fence
Cheers
Karl
Regards, Chris
Thanks Ian. Very interesting.
Two-barred Crossbill was a lifer for me as well. Also 3 GM ticks in a day (Common Crossbill + Red Grouse )
200 is still a long way off but only 32 to go - maybe 10 years off at this rate, but they get harder :(
What a great way to spend a day though. I returned to reality at Greenfield Station where a fellow passenger decided to strip naked on the platform. Well done to the person who invented the Real Ale Trail!
5 new birds in a day eh, Simon, it doesn't get much better than that. Time to get that GM list in to Ian
Cheers John
Rob, I'd forgotten about that gull. The wing tips were completely white, I saw the bird cover 100m or so in the air with a clear view of it and unless Black-Headed Gulls ever have totally white wing tips then maybe it was a Mediterranean Gull. I wouldn't want to call it as such though on that view alone.
Walked over the top to Chew Res when you and Tony left. In addition to your list, although I missed Brambling:
1 Wheatear at Ashway Gap, pristine male, first of the year for me
5 Red Grouse, including 1 male on the ground with red eyebrows in full effect
10-12 Meadow Pipit singles
1 Golden Plover on the top of the moor
1 Oystercatcher in fields by the car park at the Dove Stones Reservoir
The last two are GM ticks for me. The Plover looked really cool in summer plumage, calling just like Mr Rigby whistled it! The Crossbills and Redpoll were lifers by the way
So a quality day for me
Thanks again for the advice and chat
Not quite sure how to take that Roger, it's merely part of my sightings post, I didn't see a Willow Tit, or a Marsh Tit, but there were a few Coal Tits around the feeders with a lot of the usual species including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit and Great Tit!
..........................................................................................................................................
I'm treating this insinuating little remark with the contempt that it deserves !
Roger.
Male Two-barred Crossbill with 2 Common Crossbill showing well in the Larches to the left of the viewing point at 11am for a good few minutes.
Then again at 11.41am for only about a minute or so.
A final appearance whilst I was there was put in at around 12.15pm when the 3 birds flew over us and into the trees near the feeders but we lost them.
Other birds:
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Jay
1 Peregrine
1 Brambling
1 Lesser Redpoll
10-15 Siskin
1 Red Grouse located by another birder feeding amongst the rocks on the cliff face opposite the viewing area
...and a probable Med Gull first spotted by Simon Gough drifting down towards the res. At first I thought it was a Black-headed Gull, but a brief second glance before it vanished behind the trees seemed to indicate all white wings. Difficult to tell.
No sign of Willow or Marsh Tit, but plenty of the usuals knocking about including Coal Tit.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Saturday 12th of April 2014 12:51:15 PM
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 12th of April 2014 12:52:37 PM
No sign of any Marsh or Willow tits though.
Nice to meet some of the forum regulars there Mark Rigby and John Rayner, and also Steve Costa.
Cheers,
Steve.
Info thanks to Karen Foulkes
In the 70's (and possibly before) there seems to have been a small resident population in the south east of the county but there was a decline for whatever reason and it has become the serious county rarity it now is. Take a look at this link for a little more detail (of kind):
Marsh Tits in GM
Amongst several Siskin, Redpoll and Chaffinch.
John
have Marsh Tit always been scarce in the Manchester area? They were regular visitors to my parents garden in Hale Barns in the 1970's..
Consolations were 2 singing Chiffchaffs, 3 singing Willow Warblers, 2 Jays, 2 Nuthatches and one Curlew heard, plus one Raven seen. There was a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the feeders, plus regulars.
Brambling Siskin and Kestrel seen by others,
Cheers,
Steve.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 11th of April 2014 11:33:37 AM
When I was there at the weekend, the Two-barred Crossbill was associating with a small group of 4 Common Crossbills, two males and two females. Good luck!
I've never seen Common Crossbill before, never mind Two-barred. Can I assume that there are still a few Common Crossbill about with this obliging visitor to the county? I'm heading up on Saturday and I'd be just as happy to see either.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 10th of April 2014 04:40:14 PM
Info thanks to Simon Hitchen
Info thanks to Brian Fielding
There was a sighting reported on twitter a few weeks ago, now with a few further sightings on this occasion its starting to look quite exciting.
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 11:41:07 PM
It is a bird that is often confused with fleeting glimpses of Coal tits by visitors to the site, (I've just spoken with Roger on the phone and I'm not accusing anyone here of mixing these two species up) care must be taken at Binn green & patience with RSPB staff that tell you they aren't found here!
Anyone who has seen one elsewhere will know that they morphologically distinct in their stature and behaviour to coal tits.
It would be interesting to know before the photos of the potential Pocile come flooding in where the nearest confirmed resident territory of both Marsh and Willow tits are in proximity to DS?
-- Edited by JamieDunning on Wednesday 9th of April 2014 10:54:52 PM
We went for marsh due to lack of white wing patch, but only a fleeting sighting did not stay still for long.
I will watch this thread with interest.
I was on the car-park ...... sat on the rocks on the L/hand side as you drive on so that I could watch the larches to the left of the viewing platform.
The tit would then have been between myself and the path down to the viewing platform.
Hope this helps.
Roger.
I've not got much experience with these and both sightings were only quick but clear enough to id that it was either Willow or Marsh Tit.
I'm going off the call only ....... best I can say it was like an irate Blue Tit but louder.
I've been playing with Xeno-Canto for past 30 mins and still think Marsh ??
I also saw one here in 2009 that I thought was a Marsh Tit.
As I was leaving I asked the handful of birders who were arriving to keep their eyes open for it as I would have liked a few more opinions myself.
Don't know if anyone saw anything ?
Roger.
No sight or sound of any Crossbills.
A calling Marsh Tit seen twice around the feeders.
Roger.
Consolations:
Smart M Brambling at feeder; 1 Fieldfare landed on conifers much to the chagrin of local Mistle Thrushes; 2 separate Curlews flew south calling etc etc etc
Info thanks to Gary Crowder
It hasn't shown at all for me Ian, it has a knack of disappearing when I arrive!
Wasn't showing whilst you were there Rob
Two-Barred Crossbill showing very well...somewhere else, coz it certainly wasn't showing here!!!
Birds of note:
Peregrine
Kestrel
Buzzard
Great Spotted Woodpecker 2
Lesser Redpoll
Siskin
Brambling
Raven
Plus usuals