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A quick trip to Macclesfield Forest on Wednesday to try again for the elusive Crossbills turned to be fruitless, however more than a few nice suprises made up for it. Their favoured spot at Standing Stone car park didnt bring any me any Crossbill rewards but a whole load of winter migrants did show well.
The highlight of 4 Bramblings was worth the trip alone. Mixed in with a flock of chaffinch the Bramblings showed extremely well feasting on the pine cones and needles.
3 Goldcrest, one of which showed down to a few yards were also superb and upto 15 Redwings flew close by. Several Siskins were mixed in with a flock of Gold and Greenfinch and just to make sure we hadnt yet finished other highlights of the short trip included Raven, a very large Skien of Pink Footed Geese c100 birds, 2 male Pochard and Little Grebe on Ridgegate and a lone Fieldfare Nr Leathers Smithy PH.

Further down the forest the sun did shine allowing the autuminal colours a chance to reflect on the still reservoirs.....