Two-barred and Great Grey......

14 Dec - A few birds either side of a Christmas shopping trip to Cheltenham - Firstly, with a fine calm morning, a good opportunity to finally look for the Two-barred Crossbills that have been in the Forest of Dean for a few weeks now - I had brief but good views of a male calling in the top of a larch on Serridge ridge. Photo 1, copyright Mark Dowie. Also in the area at least 10 Bramblings, including some stunning males, and 5-6 Siskins. Then a brief stop at Park Corner near Cirencester mid-afternoon on the way home, and the Great Grey Shrike was performing very well in the bushes at the disused quarry - winter birding at its best, this striking and charismatic bird hunting at fairly close range in the low winter sunlight, with just me for company. Photos 2-4, JM.