Two Barred Crossbills

There has been a Crossbill invasion this week with around 45 Two Barred Crossbills and 70 Common Crossbill.

July is always a good month for this irruptive species.

The Two Barred Crossbills were distributed throughout Shetland with birds in Unst, Yell, Whalsay, Bressay, Trondra and the mainland

At least 20 at Voe, 8 in Whalsay, 3 at Trondra and Sumburgh.

Even though a lot of people had good views at various locations I spent 6 hours between Sumburgh and Trondra only having brief views of a Red male and a female.

Birds would turn up on the cliffs of Sumburgh about 50 feet away but as soon as I arrived they had disappeared.

Over at Glendale, Trondra there was a large flock of Common Crossbill, I estimated 50 with a couple of Two Barred. I saw both Male and female Two Barred but the whole flock was very mobile

After lunch things went quiet and despite a couple of us searching we could only find about 10 Common Crossbill down at the bottom of the plantation.

The Two Barred Crossbills had a deeper call and would often be separate to the larger flock of Common Crossbill.

Also here , Woodpigeon (4), House Martin (4), Goldcrest, Blackbird, Starling and House Sparrow while Red Throated Diver called from the Voe

#Two Barred Crossbill, #Crossbills, #Shetland, #Trondra, #Sumburgh