25 March 2014

They're everywhere


I was able to slip out a couple of times today to the small park near my apartment. Crossbills were here too............the 4th location in Hakodate I've photographed them in this year.

It was mild today and the snow is receding leaving muddy grass covered with pinecones. And litter as well actually.

The crossbills were pillaging the pinecones on the ground................thry must have eaten all the ones in the trees I guess.





 They were a bit wary and generally took the pinecones back up to the tree to eat............





The last time I can remember such an influx of Crossbill was in 2009. I've seen then most years before and since but they really are everywhere this year.................






A lot of males have yellowish throats. Are these 2nd year birds?




Also around were Redpoll and Hawfinch................

Can't believe I am really hoping for Man U to win tonight. Can't recall the last time, if indeed there has ever been a time.

Linked to Wild Bird Wednesday.

28 comments:

  1. Oh dear!!
    "They are everywhere" !!!!
    What would I give just to see one let alone to take a picture!! LOL!
    Such a great series! This yellow band around the neck is gorgeous and enhances beautifully this bright orange color!

    "After reading the Asterix books as a kid I always wanted to eat roast boar........."
    So you read our national Asterix when you were a kid!! Yes, that's a great cartoon! LOL!

    keep well and keep me dreaming! :-)

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    1. Thanks for the comment Noushka, my favorite Asterix book was "Asterix in Corsica"...............after that I always wanted to visit Corsica...................one day I will.

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  2. But they're nowhere to be seen when I was in Japan and Germany.... Great photos as usual!

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    1. Hi Ayuwat, until I came to Japan I'd only ever seen Crosbills once..................and that was 30 years ago!

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  3. how very beautiful! they have the colors of ripening fruit!

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    1. Never thought of it like that but I supoose you're right!

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  4. That crossed bill is such an interesting adaptation. Wonderful photos and record of their feeding behavior.

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    1. Hi Kenneth, yes they're pretty unique that way.........

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  5. Those beaks just look so powerful. From Findlay

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    1. A pet Crossbill would make a great organic set of tweezers.

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  6. Awesome photos of these beautiful birds!

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  7. HI Well I wish they were here!! ALl great shots.

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    1. Hi Margaret, yes they are quite difficult to see in the UK/Ireland..............

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  8. Beautiful shots of the Crossbills. They are cool birds!

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    1. Thanks for the comment, they are my favourite small bird for sure.............

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  9. Send some down to us - it's a bit quiet here as it's rather dry and a lot of the shorebirds have left. More beautiful shots of the Crossbills.

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    1. I don't think they'll ever reach Australia but you have many more exotic birds to compensate..................

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  10. Beautiful birds and great behavioural shots. Like their colours with the green too.

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    1. Thanks Russell, I agree the red on green looks the part................

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  11. They are beautiful birds. Great series of shots!

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  12. Such colorful little birds, beautifully photographed.

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  13. If birds like this were "everywhere" I'd never be indoors.

    Football? When you have crossbill? Surely not!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Hi Stewart, sorry but I hae to confess I'd swap all the Crossbills in Hokkaido for a Liverpool Premier League title....................

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