The Orkney Image Library
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Close up scuppered by cat!! [Picture of graphic evidence left to the imagination! - Steven]
Crossbill? Taken 3-7-09
View Large VersionPicture added on 04 July 2009
You can remove the question mark, this is without doubt a male crossbill, probably in passage between Scandanavia and the mainland of Scotland in search of a pine forest. There is a resident population in the Highlands but there seems no reason for a resident to leave the pine forest and come to Orkney where there is no food for it. I assume the photo was taken in Orkney. I enhanced the image in PhotoShop.
Added by Tom Scott on 14 July 2009
The photo was taken on South end of Westray and there were quite a few of them here over a period of around 2 weeks. The cat killed one at least a week earlier than this photo was taken.
Added by Linda Drever on 19 July 2009
I went out to check on the health of a poor bird that thumped into our window, picked up the dead creature and my first thought was "good grief it has bumped its beak". It took a few seconds more considered thought before I realised that it was a crossbill. Even more wonder that they land in Orkney where there is no food, cats lurking and windows set at right angles to confuse them.
Added by Ruth Kirkpatrick on 24 July 2009
my mum had 3 of them in her garden in Kirkwall. she took a few photos so I will see if I can get them on here
Added by Alison on 27 July 2009
Westray
