June Scottish Highlands trip to see Scottish Crossbill Advice (1 Viewer)

[Nimravid]

Hey everyone,

I will be doing a hiking and general biking trip with a friend from June 1-8th this summer (Inverness -> Durness -> Wick -> Inverness). I have June 1-2 by myself before he meets me in Inverness and I was going to do some birdwatching since he is not much of a birder.

I specifically would like to pursue the Scottish Crossbill as it is an endemic species. I was thinking of taking a train from Inverness on the 1st to Findhorn bay area/Culbin Forest. Could someone give advice on if I will be in the right area and time to spot the crossbill?

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

- Chris

 

[Steve Lister]

If you want to see what might be Scottish Crossbills you stand the best chance in the forests around Grantown-on-Spey and Abernethy.

 

[Farnboro John]

There is no Scottish Crossbill, the original work is debunked, the call work is debunked, the bill size work is debunked. Enjoy the real Highland wildlife, it's amazing.

John

 

[wolfbirder]

If you just want to study Crossbills I would say the cross tracks at Boat of Garten Woods are an excellent spot, but by June it might be really tough.

 

[raymie]

There is no Scottish Crossbill, the original work is debunked, the call work is debunked, the bill size work is debunked. Enjoy the real Highland wildlife, it's amazing.

John

We know your position, but ornithologists clearly disagree since the species is still listed in all major bird taxonomies. It may be lumped someday in the future (but maybe not), but for now there IS a Scottish Crossbill.

Also, in what way are crossbills not "real highland wildlife"? Let people enjoy what animals they want to enjoy and don't try to troll users who just wanted useful info.

 

[Farnboro John]

We know your position, but ornithologists clearly disagree since the species is still listed in all major bird taxonomies. It may be lumped someday in the future (but maybe not), but for now there IS a Scottish Crossbill.

Also, in what way are crossbills not "real highland wildlife"? Let people enjoy what animals they want to enjoy and don't try to troll users who just wanted useful info.

The Scottish Birds article makes it clear there is currently no way to identify Scottish Crossbill in the field. Accordingly any search for it is going to be based on an old false premise, and a failure. Crossbills are part of British but not particularly Highland wildlife and if time is limited in the Highlands there is no point wasting it looking for something available in the New Forest and across Britain. This is not trolling, it is useful information.

John

 

[Butty]

Let people enjoy what animals they want to enjoy and don't try to troll users who just wanted useful info.

This is a misguided - and unpleasant - assertion which would be better withdrawn.

 

[Nimravid]

Thank you all for the replies and info. This discussion lead me to research a little more about the history of the Scottish crossbill.

@Steve Lister & @wolfbirder, I'll keep that area in mind. The Cairngorms area seems like it would need an entire trip of its own to spend time in, but I could take a bus in and explore.

@Farnboro John, I appreciate the comment about clear identification in the field and won't spend my time only looking for the crossbill as there is plenty on my list to see!