Cresty spotting

Yesterday (Friday) was spent clearing snow from in front of the workshop, and off various roofs (18inches of snow must be pretty heavy); and out clearing snow breaks and dangerous overhangs from the nearby roads.  Afterwards I waded up Cairn Rynettin, where I saw a lone male Bullfinch attempting to keep himself alive through heather seed consumption.  Am I wrong in thinking that it’s pretty unusual for a Bullfinch to be hanging out on top of a wind and snow swept hill eating Heather?

Today myself, Tom and Dougie head over to the Osprey centre.  Apparently there are feeders, and a great chance of seeing Crested Tits, a bird I’ve not seen before.  When we get there the feeders are busy with Great Tits, Coal tits and the occasional Blue Tit.  And then, after a reasonably short wait, a pair of Crested Tits come down to feed.  The Cresty is a spiky character, with punk style hair, and a machine gun staccato call.  Myself and Tom (check out Tom’s web site by clicking this link) spend a little time trying to get pictures of it feeding, but the light is not great.

Then, as we’re watching, a Red Squirrel approaches, before climbing the tree with the feeders, and taking food from a box with an openable top.

Anyway, below are my shots.  Remember it’s just a digital compact.