• When here in the Outer Hebrides and looking at a bird, have you ever wondered how rare it is? The status of all species can vary enormously from island to island. How rare is Shoveler on Barra, has Stock Dove been seen on Harris, does Dotterel occur on Benbecula in the autumn, and how common is Blue Tit on North Uist? Well, fret no longer! The Status and Distribution of birds here on the Outer Hebrides has been completely updated and summarised for every species and each of the main islands and outliers. Available as an online resource at https://status.outerhebrides-birdreports.org/ or via our shop

    New - now available as an ebook

Bruce

Senior Member
I found a male Two-barred Crossbill at Bruernish, Barra this morning. It flew in from the north at around 11.10 and fed on spruce cones until around mid day. At one point it flew off high to the east before returning a minute or so later. It was extremely vocal. There has been no sign of it since then and a tour of other likely sites around the island also drew a blank.

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Hawkeye

Eyes and Ears Everywhere
News from Andrew, South Uist

Female two-barred crossbill this afternoon at Langass Woods – loosely associating with c12 siskins feeding in the canopy before they all flew off past me towards Langass Lodge woods. I looked there but couldn’t find them again.

Also a juv common crossbill briefly in my garden at Bornish on 4 Aug.
 

BrianR

Senior Member
One wonders how many Two-barred Crossbills there are present on the islands. After drawing a blank this morning at Langass Woods I walked the track on the W side of Ben Risary plantation later. Apart from Goldcrests the few other species recorded included a ♂ Lesser Redpoll perched at close range that flew off before I could get a photo. As I turned around to go back down the track I heard the, now, familiar nasal trumpet call of a Two-barred Crossbill. The bird called half a dozen times or so but I was unable to obtain any views. Somewhat more of a challenge locating them here than at Langass.
 
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