The Magic Tree

It might not look like it, but this is a magic tree:

You might recognise it.

For the last month at least, this bare and slender oak has been acting as a magnet for numerous parties of Crossbills at Hemsted Forest in mid-Kent. They can't seem to get enough of it. Recently these roving flocks were discovered to include three crossbill species, the Common Crossbill and (now) individuals of the much scarcer Scando-Russia migrants, Two-barred and Parrot. The irruption of the latter two species in Britain this autumn has meant its been possible for myself and many others to get good views of each (and for the first time) - but there can't be many places where the three species have regularly gathered in the same tree!

After a rainy and fleeting encounter with the Two-barred Crossbill last month, I was looking forward to another visit so headed back down to Hemsted today. I had a great few hours on the site, with the stony sky eventually breaking into pale sunshine and a muted wintry blue. It was much quieter than my previous visit, but again the birds made frequent visits to 'the Tree' - the arrival heralded by their calls swirling around the clearing. First up today, the male Two-barred Crossbill appeared in a flock with nine Common Crossbills, immediately identifiable by its bold, white wing bars. Just as before, it struck me as a really smart bird, a real bubblegum beauty. On its second visit to the tree about an hour later, it was possible to separate its softer call from the common flock which added to the experience. Whilst watching the Two-barred, I had been checking the other crossbill's, er bills, for any that would indicate Parrot but drew a blank. The variability in form was quite marked but eventually a single crossbill flew on its own. This in itself seemed interesting and decent views of its chunky head/neck and bill were good enough to confirm it for me as a Parrot Crossbill.

During a couple of hours, the Tree was also visited by a flock of 25+ Siskin and a couple of redpolls, while around the clearing, Redwing, Woodpigeon, Coal Tit and Goldcrest were all present. But today was all about a unique encounter...I reckon I'll be hearing crossbills in my sleep tonight.

Pretty in Pink: Male Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera), Hemstead Forest, Kent, 1/12/13
A superb example - note the bold white wing bars, striking 'raspberry' tone and cute bill

Digiscoped record shot of Parrot Crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus), Hemstead Forest, Kent, 1/12/13
Not ideal but it just about shows the 'bull-headed' jizz of the bird (possibly)

I could've cropped this photo but I like it as it is. If you stare at it long enough it starts to look like a big
egg that is cracking from the bottom. Stare at a tree for three hours and your mind will wander too.