Crossbill

When news came in that Crossbills had been seen in Lerwick, there really could be only two spots- not many conifers in Lerwick

I went down to the conifer at Sound, the one that had Parrot Crossbills last year. Lots of pine cones laid on the road, a good sign

Then the Crossbills started to call, at least three birds and they were soon found feeding on cones on the lawn. They seemed very settled and allowed a 12 foot approach.

They were soon off, flying round before landing all together in the tree, four birds this time, again calling.

August is a good month to find Crossbills in Shetland, a few days before at least a dozen were found at Sullom and in Unst.

Once the birds had come down to the cones on the road they allowed even closer approach, this time within 5-6 feet. Not concerned at all, feeding all the time until a car came down the road and then they took off landing a few feet away in the tree,

A couple of birds carried cones back and forth and occasionally a squabble broke out, with the adult birds winning out and at least two occasions. No need really as there were at least 50+ to feed on.

Crossbills have distinct mandibles, crossed at the tips that can allow them to get to the seeds.

Crossbills are early breeders but can breed any month. Apart from one brown Juvenile bird the rest were females, would have been great to see a Red male.

These have been the best views I have had most of the others have been high up in Conifers

Parrot Crossbill

Its been about 30 years since I saw a flock of Parrot Crossbill so the chance of seeing some in Shetland was very attractive.

About a dozen Parrot Crossbills had turned up and had formed 4 parties spread north to south.
In Lerwick two small parties fairly close together had attracted a number of birders.

For photography they couldn't have arrived at a worse time with 5 days of gales and heavy rain. I caught up with a party at Sound in Lerwick, well two of them

The first visit produced none so I went down to Helendale where the others had been seen. Other than a Hawfinch on the road no Crossbills showed.

Arriving back at Sound around 10 birders had gathered, a large number for Shetland. One instantly showed but the light was bad and the rain and wind made it difficult for photography

I moved round the far side to a sheltered spot and lucky enough both Crossbills came low down in the conifer and started to feed on cones which they had snipped off higher up.

Eventually they came onto the grass and started to move closer to give us all superb views. They were totally unconcerned with all the lenses pointed at them. The rain came and went but the wind was still very strong.

Parrot Crossbill are big birds, the beak structure and call the best way to identify them. They are an irruptive bird arriving from Northern Europe and Western Russia. A small population can also be found at Abernethy Forest in Speyside

Adult males tend to be Red/ orange and one of the birds was an adult the other a juvenile bird.

Other notable birds in Shetland include a few Rustic Bunting, Red flanked Blue tail, Bluethroat, Siberian Rubythroat and an American Buff Bellied Pipit . A number of the birders have or are due to leave Shetland so it should get quieter , but this could also lead to less records being received