Scottish Crossbills in Argyll (1 Viewer)

[Quercus]

Today's Atlas "bird or the day" on the BTO website shows a record of Scottish Crossbills in Argyll, (and one near Glasgow.)

www.bto.org/birdatlas/birdoftheday.htm

Do they really get that far south?

I'm particularly interested as I used to live in the Square shown, and contributed to that square. Did i miss something?

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

It would certainly be interesting to know how all those birds were identified.

 

[Quercus]

There were certainly quite a few crossbills on the Cowal Penisular early last year., all those that I saw were in Sitka spruce plantations... I just assumed they were all Commons as it's so far away from the usual range!

 

[neil brown]

was the same here in kintyre last year, seemed to be a lot more crossbills about in early part of last year than is normal, certainly not seeing as many this year. wouldnt be able to identify a scottish in the field anyway, not sure of the calls, so would be also interested on identication method

 

[steve_zodiac]

was the same here in kintyre last year, seemed to be a lot more crossbills about in early part of last year than is normal, certainly not seeing as many this year. wouldnt be able to identify a scottish in the field anyway, not sure of the calls, so would be also interested on identication method

Go on the RSPB website, there's a section on there that deals with birdcalls (audio). It isn't great but it does give some indication at the difference in pitch between Crossbill, Scottish Crossbill and Parrot Crossbill.

 

[Quercus]

The Argyll bird Club don't include Scottish Crossbill on the county list, saying there is no sound evidence. (and reading between the lines no-one's looking for them either)