First snow of the winter brings more thrushes

Much cooler this morning and the first snow fall on Beeley, but not cold enough for it to settle. The cooler weather brought approximately 500 hundreds Fieldfare on to Flash Lane which was great to see, and hear! Also my first local Brambling of the autumn.

Fieldfare 

More unusual than the Fieldfare, a Stoat ran down one of the drainage ditches. Difficult to know what the population is locally but I only see 3 or 4 a year so I regard them as scarce, but doubtless under recorded. 
It was difficult to photograph as they move so quickly and the light was very poor.

Stoat

A late Small Copper and more on crossbills

I suspect this will be my last Small Copper of the year, sat in the sunshine on the edge of Beeley Moor yesterday, rather worn now. 

Small Copper

I also saw the Common Crossbill again in 70 Acre Plantation, about 40 all feeding in the same conifers. It was interesting to watch the crossbills feeding, some birds removed the cone completely and flew a short distance with it to the centre of the tree, presumably where they can support it to remove the seeds. 
I think the tree in the photo is a Sitka Spruce and there is an interesting article on the RSPB web site which looks at the impact of the introduction of Sitka Spruce on wintering crossbill in the UK over the the crossbills normal food plant, the Norway Spruce.
I like this photo, showing two female type Common Crossbill with a Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. 

Common Crossbill with Siskin and Lesser Redpoll

Common Crossbills - Flash Lane

A change in the weather today with the calm, warm, anticyclonic system replaced by a strong cool NW wind and overcast skies. It didn't look promising first thing but three swans flying high over Flash Lane must have been Whooper Swans. Several parties have been seen at Carsington in the last few days.
After several groups of Fieldfare overhead and several finch flocks a part of at least 35 Common Crossbill flew over and disappeared towards Whitesprings Plantation. More groups of finches crossed the lane heading west then more, or possibly the same, Common Crossbills. 
A party landed reasonably close and posed briefly for photos in 70 Acre Plantation, hope they hang around.

Common Crossbills - male upper and female

Common Crossbill flock shot of 32 birds