Dark-eyed Junco at Hawkhill Inclosure, New Forest

[rolf]

Made an impromptu visit down to the New Forest this afternoon, having received a text from Catherine informing me that the weather was nice, jumped into the van at 12:30 and was in the Hawkhill Inclosure car park by 2pm, only minutes before Catherine and Glenn arrived.

Anyway, walked the short distance to the fallen trees and clearing where the Junco had been spotted and there is was almost immediately, along with a first Winter male Crossbill and a couple of Reed Buntings.

The initial spotting was too quick for photos, but it made a reappearance around the other side of the clearing with some Chaffinches and Reed Buntings and I managed a few photos.

A super afternoon, meeting up with friends and spotting two life firsts, the Junco and a Crossbill.

[joe]

Well done Rolf

[Catherine]

Your shots are GREAT, Rolf!

I'm amazed they are so clear!

I particularly like the ones which show his little pink beak, and the one with the Chaffinch near-at-hand helps to work out size in relation to it.

You did well with the Crossbill - considering he wasn't going to pose for anyone today. Quite funny really - how he hid so cleverly behind that branch!

[rolf]

I think he was mocking me Catherine.

Here are the other shots from the afternoon. By the way, took me an hour and a half to get back as well, quite pleased.

[Catherine]

Had you just had the camera a foot higher up... You're not tall enough, Rolf!

You can ID him properly from that middle shot of him - where his beak (nearly) shows though - can't you?

We got some OK shots of the Reed Buntings, though not such a good series as you have there.

Several times the RBs and Chaffs had their feathers plumped up as the bird in that last shot. I think they were cold too!

[boblong]

Great shots, Rolf. I might have to tear myself away from my Devon sites and come to see the Junco.

Bob.

[ladylouise62]

Blinkin' great, your list is extending! Nice set of shots there. You obviously did miss one, though, the lesser-spotted speeding ticket

[Catherine]

Did you not know that blue vans were exempt from being given speeding tickets, Louise?

Not sure if that Junco is a male or a female. It seems to be a 'Slate-coloured Dark-eyed Junco' though..

The info below this photo is interesting - Female Dark Eyed Slate-colored Junco | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Glen managed to get a Dunnock in one shot though neither of us can remember seeing it there!

[rolf]

My book would put that Flickr image as a male, it is indeed a superb photo though.

No speeding, just a nice clear route.

[Catherine]

I'd say male too, Rolf. Indeed, the one at Hawkhill was ID'd as a male.

Does the female have more brownish feathers? I cannot google a pic of one...

In my small pic that day - because of the poor light probably - some of his feathers have taken on a pinkish and greenish hue.

Yes, that Flickr pic is great. Sorry it's not mine! (I was interested in the info below it mainly.)

[Catherine]

Saw him today, though didn't wait long. Quite a few birdwatchers there - none I'd seen before though.

The Junco was mainly at some distance. Here, he was on the left hand tree, but unfortunately behind a branch!

There was something interesting on that same tree though. It seems that a GSW may have been busy there!

There were many Reed buntings, Chaffinches, Dunnocks and one Robin in evidence, but no Crossbills this time!

[rolf]

Glad you caught it again, shame that the Crossbill didn't make a reappearance, I'll have to pop down again, as i'd love to get a good Crossbill photo.

[Catherine]

I can give you tips on where to look for the Spanish Sparrow too - but you must beware of the lunatic birdwatcher who leaps through hedges!.