Crossbills and Hen Harrier

Crossbill - this male was perched up high. A female and another male were just beneath it and I was confident that just three birds were present, until a flock totalling 11 birds burst out of the tree calling.

I spent a good while mooching round the commons this afternoon and noted a few bits and pieces - ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Siskin, 3+ Treecreeper, 8+ Goldcrest, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 11 Crossbill, 6+ Coal Tit, 1 Raven, 1 Snipe, 3+ Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Moorhen, 17 Canada Goose, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 10+ Mallard, 1 Dartford Warbler, 9 Stock Dove, 2 Red-legged Partridge and c20/30+ Meadow Pipit.

Treecreeper - one of at least 3 seen in woodland surrounding the heathland this afternoon. One was in full song.

First-winter Mediterranean Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull off Mudbank late yesterday afternoon.

Curlew - Mudbank