Our dawn start at Skaw produced a Whinchat, a Reed Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Blackcaps, a Willow Warbler, a Chiffchaff, a Little Bunting and a Brambling. Braeview added a Short-eared Owl, 2 Redwings, a Goldcrest and a Lapland Bunting. Burrafirth produced a Robin, a Common Redstart and 3 Chiffchaffs. Clingera held 3 Common Redstarts and 3 Chiffchaffs. Brian M then very kindly called to say that Paul & Nick had found a flock of four Crossbills at Setters Hill and that they all appeared to be Parrots! We called round to let Brydon know seeing a Quail walking along his road - superb! We were soon at Setters Hill joining the assembled crowd watching the Parrot Crossbills when a fifth bird arrived with all the birds flying around and calling excitedly when it did so.
Reed Warbler at Skaw
Lapland Bunting at Braeview
Female Parrot Crossbill at Setters Hill
Male Parrot Crossbill at Setters Hill
Click to enlarge
Xeno canto 130410 Parrot Crossbill, Sweden (left) and Setters Hill (right)
Virtually identical frequency range of notes 2.8-4.2kHz and inverted V shape
Glip Common Crossbill Unst 30/7/17 (left) / Xc130410 Sweden (mid) / Setters Hill (right)
Different frequency and shape of notes of a 'Glip' Common Crossbill
