Two-Barred Crossbills from Russia

The three male Two-Barred Crossbills we saw on Westray created quite a stir.

Rare Crossbills on the Links

The next day we go back to see if they’re still there, and they are:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I still find them outrageously beautiful:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

They are perched upon the Dock plants in amongst the sand covering a Neolithic to Bronze Age archaeological site.

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

We can get close to them if we’re very, very careful:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Their bills are extraordinary:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

One hops upon a rock with the windblown sand from Grobust beach behind:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

One peeps out from a mass of Dock plants:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

While another just perches, magnificently:

Two-Barred Crossbill - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

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