Happy New Year.

I met up with a good friend of mine yesterday, basically just to get out and about but also to try and see a Great Grey Shrike that had been reported locally. When we arrived at the location the light was really bad with grey skies and a fine mist in the air. We realised very quickly that any shots would be mediocre at best and after locating the bird about 500 yds away we set off walking towards it, however, these birds are always mobile and this individual certrainly was. We managed to get a few distant record shots,


I lined the bird up against the very dark forestry to bring out it's light grey plumage.

Unfortunately the light was getting progressively worse so we abandoned the shoot and said our farewells. On the drive back from the area I stopped at a junction and suddenly a larch cone bounced off the road in front of me. This can only mean one thing, Crossbills!
I parked up and sure enough there were about five birds above me eating larch seeds. I took a few shots in what was now dreadful light.





Very soon the birds disappeared in search of more food. However, it was nice to come across what are becomimg quite difficult birds to see in this area. It just goes to show that you have to get out because you never know - 'You've got to be in it to win it'!