Hanchurch Woods

Today we tried for the Waxwing at Biddulph after waiting for quite a while they did drop down into the trees near the car only to be spooked and departed as soon as they left, we did follow them around into the housing estate where they felt safer perched high up in some near by trees. In total there were about 20 birds.

In the afternoon we took a walk along Hanchurh nothing really was noted walking along the main track as Gem cycled along. But around the feeding area around 15 Brambling were putting on a fine show along we one of my favourite birds the Nuthatch.

Crossbill

Around this time of year my mind always turns to Crossbill if I am out walking around Hanchurch Woods. While following one of the bike tracks a small group flew over but I could not locate them, but we did find a small party of Redpoll. While making our way to the track we had flushed 2 Snipe and even to Mallards (not your typical woodland birds).

Making our way back to the car our luck was in as a party of 4 Crossbill dropped into a tree close to the track, two flew off but a male and female stayed behind. The female for some reason appeared to be eating the bark off the Pine tree. The birds eventually dropped down to a pool to drink.