Male Crossbill

I had a fantastic morning's birding this morning which was unexpected to be honest. I went back to look for Crossbills and Siskins and at first there wasn't a lot going on but this was probably due to the noise and activity in the area.  Once it had quietened down things really started to hot up. Firstly Coal Tits came to drink and there were several in the conifers around.  I heard several high pitched calls and songs from Goldcrests and it wasn't long before I started to see them in the conifers. It was difficult to estimate how many but definitely at least 6.  Then suddenly as I put my lens on to a  a bird and  I could see immediately that it was a Firecrest.  This is the first Firecrest that I have found for my self. I took some ridiculously bad photos which were good enough for me to just to check the colouring and to confirm that I wasn't imagining it.  Then the Goldcrests really started to show themselves and as I watched and photographed them, a small group of Crossbills arrived and landed in the tree that I was leaning up against and half hiding behind. The noise fro the Crossbills began to build and then suddenly one flew down to the hidden puddle to drink and this was quickly followed by another.  Then a male Crossbill – the one above – flew on to that perch and was quickly joined by two females, one right next to it and the other just above.  It really was a special few minutes and very enjoyable.

Female Crossbill

The male again.

Its a shame that we are due rain, this puddle is a big draw for the woodland birds.

Great to see the sexual dimorphism of this species.

Because of their size Goldcrest  are constantly searching for food.

This one is swallowing an insect.

How could you not love this species?

Obviously successful in it's hunt for prey.

This would have been a great photo without the annoying branch across the body. It's swallowing a cranefly by the way.