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Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay


Postby denfinella » Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:36 pm

IMG_0878.JPG


Lots of these birds feeding on pine cones in the trees above Kenmore / Loch Tay last month. Not sure what bird though?
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby CharlesT » Tue Aug 16, 2022 7:46 pm

Think that may be a female Scottish Crossbill. The males are scarlet.
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby denfinella » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:16 pm

CharlesT wrote:Think that may be a female Scottish Crossbill. The males are scarlet.


Interesting - never knowingly seen one before! I've also just come across a photo from later in the walk which I thought looked like a Crossbill (or Scottish Crossbill). I was just about to add it when I saw your reply - thoughts?

IMG_0879.JPG
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby Mal Grey » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:45 pm

I think I agree, female crossbill, from the second photo.
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby CharlesT » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:53 pm

That is certainly a crossbill, but whether it's a Scottish Crossbill or Common Crossbill is difficult to say.
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby denfinella » Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:40 pm

Just to clarify - the two photos where taken in two different location on the same walk. So not necessarily the same species!
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby CharlesT » Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:15 pm

denfinella wrote:Just to clarify - the two photos where taken in two different location on the same walk. So not necessarily the same species!

The two species are very difficult to tell apart in the field according to the literature, but as they are flocking birds I would think both your examples are the same species. I would plump for Scottish Crossbill personally. Pity you didn't get a shot of a male, they are quite dandyish.
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby Caberfeidh » Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:01 am

CharlesT wrote:The two species are very difficult to tell apart in the field...


Surely you can tell by the accent? :roll:
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Re: Bird ID above Kenmore, Loch Tay

Postby CharlesT » Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:42 am

Caberfeidh wrote:
CharlesT wrote:The two species are very difficult to tell apart in the field...


Surely you can tell by the accent? :roll:


Not by the accent, but they are chattering birds and the Scottish is less varied vocally than the Common. As typically resident in the Caledonian pine forest, they may have the Highland reserve of the other natives. 😁

The Scottish Ornithologists Club website has comparitive audio recordings of them.

For once I refuse to be led by the nose into your demented domain. 🙂
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