Jun 24th by neilgd under Bird Watching
A couple of visits to Lochwinnoch RSPB centre over the last few days gave great views of many juvenile birds. Â Of particular interest was two juvenile great spotted woodpeckers that were feeding from the nut feeder only a few metres from the photo hide. Â My first visit on Sunday afternoon found the photo hide full of huge lenses and just enough room for me to fit in. Â Great views were had of the woodpeckers and numerous other birds. Â On Tuesday night the weather was still fine so I decided to pay another visit – this time I found the photo hide empty and had it to myself for a very enjoyable couple of hours viewing the birds. Â The two juv woodpeckers were constant companions for the whole time (mostly one at a time) Â with a few visits from an adult male. Â Numerous Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and Chaffinches were also in attendance. Â On both Sunday and Tuesday I had great views of a Reed Bunting and Redpoll, the latter a bird that I had only seen once before Sunday. Â As well as the little birds there was also a family of Rooks present – one adult and three juvs – the adult rook in the way of clever corvids had managed to figure out the seed feeder and was clearly showing the youngsters how to use them. Â All in all a few great hours of viewing.
xlent picks neil especially the woodpeckers.
Redpoll is likely to be a Lesser Redpoll C.f. cabaret. BWP states it is quickly separated from the others by it’s more sharply pointed bill delicate form, great agility when feeding, dancing flight and muttered flight-call. Birds of Scotland list C.f. Cabaret as the resident Redpoll as well.
Good pics as ever, note the woodpecker using it’s tail as a prop.