Before returning back to Buckinghamshire we did a bit of a run around after some less usual birds reported to be in the area by others. We started off at Edgefield Wood where a group of up to 13 Parrot Crossbills has been seen over the last few days. At first it seemed as though our luck was out. We couldn't hear large groups of birds moving between the stands of tall conifers and while we wandered about, listening for dropping cones. Then we heard a small group of Crossbill pass over head and as Chris headed off in the direction of a small stream, I noticed a male at the top of a conifer in the middle distance. We homed in on the general area and were pleased to be able to watch a group of what turned out to be 8 Parrot Crossbills feeding above us for about 10 minutes.
We then travelled the short distance to the rubbish tip where we watched a Glaucous Gull loaffing with other gulls in a field.
We next took a walk around an area of heathland adjacent to Holt Country Park. It was devoid of birds on the day but looked promising for birds and insects and we'll try again at a different time of year.
We then tried to find the Richard's Pipit at Kelling Quaggs without success. The sea had been in, right up to the footpath, leaving hay, plastic and rubbish ( ranging from board walk, a paper back book and part of a hide) all about. We saw three Stonechats including a colour-ringed bird, deep red over bright pink on the left, dark green above metal right. We shall try to establish the origins of this bird.
We rounded the afternoon off by discovering a locally owned, reasonably priced cafe. Excellent!!! Another to be recommended along with that at Natural Surroundings.
We then travelled the short distance to the rubbish tip where we watched a Glaucous Gull loaffing with other gulls in a field.
We next took a walk around an area of heathland adjacent to Holt Country Park. It was devoid of birds on the day but looked promising for birds and insects and we'll try again at a different time of year.
We then tried to find the Richard's Pipit at Kelling Quaggs without success. The sea had been in, right up to the footpath, leaving hay, plastic and rubbish ( ranging from board walk, a paper back book and part of a hide) all about. We saw three Stonechats including a colour-ringed bird, deep red over bright pink on the left, dark green above metal right. We shall try to establish the origins of this bird.
We rounded the afternoon off by discovering a locally owned, reasonably priced cafe. Excellent!!! Another to be recommended along with that at Natural Surroundings.