In search of Two-barred Crossbill

We started the morning at Lynford Arboretum, scanning the Larch trees close to the visitor hut. Crossbills were already present and feeding at the tops of these trees as we started the search.

Most were female and juveniles but there was one male among them. As the birds flew from the tree I counted 15 birds within the flock, calling noisily as they went.

They weren't gone for long, a quick circle of the nearby trees and smaller numbers were back feeding in the same treetops.

Scanning each and every bird found within the trees still didn't produce a sighting of any two-barred, with Common Crossbills, Siskins, Chaffinch and Coal Tit all noted.

Leaving Lynford, it was off to Kelling Heath again in search of a Two-barred. One had been reported as present at 6.10 this morning.

On arrival we were met with more bad news, as the bird had not been seen since that first sighting of the morning.

We joined the growing crowds either side of the level crossing and waited for any sight or sound of the target.Unfortunately this is all we did for the next few hours.

There was no sightings of the bird while we were there, despite the bird being reported as present at 10.27am on the news services. We were there at this time and nobody that was present at this time had seen the bird.

Time for a change of scenery, and a quick visit to Cley. A scan of Pat's Pool adding Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Common and Green sandpipers but no sign of any Curlew or Wood Sandpipers.

With time running short and rain forecast, there's still time for a visit to Titchwell.

Heading off along the footpath heading for Parrinder hide (south). Before reaching the hide Brian has two Curlew Sandpipers in the scope. A welcome first year tick of the day.

A scan from here produces a good variety of species including Spotted Redshanks, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot, Curlew Sandpiper along with 17 Spoonbill.

A strange and largely unproductive day's birding. But it beats working any day of the week.