COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL - Hazelwood Common
Lesser Redpoll - Hazelwood Common
Next stop was Santon Downham in Thetford Forest to search for the flock of parrot crossbills. On arrival, I was dismayed to hear that there'd be no sign all morning. After searching for an hour or two a report came that 3 birds had been seen not far from the car park. After a bit of confusion, I and three others birders realised that the bird had been reported at the very spot we were standing, but there were no crossbills and no observer! Soon after another 30 or 40 people converged on the spot and none were any the wiser. Fustrated, we contined searching to no avail, producing just a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail, a few Siskins and other bits and pieces. I walked along to the level crossing to find no one searching here. It was getting late and I was about to turn around and head back to the car when a birder appeared across the level crossing and called me over - after a short dash I was watching a flock of Parrot Crossbills! The birds were distant I didn't mind, I was just relieved to have seen them! The bill shape and size, the large cheek and bull neck were obvious even at this range.
Parrot Crossbills - Santon Downham
Kingfisher - Santon Downham
We eventually counted at least 16 birds. It was approaching dusk and 15 birds took flight, allowing us to hear the characteristic call. One bird remained in the tree but dropped down out of view. On my walk back to the car, I came across a group of birders, one of which had just claimed a flock of 19 crossbill types flying over giving parrot-type calls, so looks like several more may have been lurking about.
A great end to the day after what had seemed like a three-hour dip.
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