Crossbills!

07.40-08.25 from The Point:

Gannet: N/C

Brent Goose: 8W

Common Scoter: 12W

Wigeon: 9W

Hen Harrier: 1 in off

Arctic Skua: 1E

Little Gull: 1 off shore

Sandwich Tern: 6 off shore

Swallow: 17 in of

Chiffchaff Lighthouse garden

 In an hour spent looking into the Lightouse garden I managed several brief views of the Yellow Browed Warbler, a Goldcrest and a Chiffchaff. With news that the Two Barred Crossbill was still at Hempstead forest saw myself, DW, BP and DR make our way there. On arrival we were making our way up the track towards the gathered birders who started waving at us as the Two Barred Crossbill was showing. We hastened our walk a little and were soon getting good scope views of the bird, but no good for photography.

Distant Two Barred Crossbill

 We were told on arrival that 2 Parrot Crossbills had been seen, so we waited and after a while the male was picked out on distant conifer, a few moments later it and 2 other Crossbills flew towards us and landed in the trees above the drinking pool. Once again great scope views were had but much to far for me tom get any decent photographs. I believe some good phonescope shots were obtained by others, I am sure over the next few days other good ones will be obtained.

                                                          Parrot Crossbill

Left to right:  Common Crossbill, female type Parrot Crossbill, Male Parrot Crossbill.

Male Parrot Crossbill

This afternoon back at Dungeness the Glossy Ibis could again be seen from Hanson along with all the usual wildfowl. At the Lighthouse the Yellow Browed Warbler was still not behaving itself.