The Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica) is thought to have arisen from the hybridisation of the common crossbill (L. curvirostra) and the parrot crossbill (L. pytyopsittacus), and evolved to occupy a specific niche provided by the mix of plantation conifers present in Scotland. It is considered to be Britain’s only endemic bird and is thus subject to a Species Action Plan.
Essential to the conservation action for this species is an understanding of the temporal and spatial availability of conifer seed- its main food. Information on coning of 3 conifer species (Norway spruce, Sitka spruce and Scots pine) has been collected by Forest Research since the mid 1980’s. Data from this survey has been evaluated and analysed and provides insights into coning synchrony and spatial patterns of coning across Britain.
Basic information is lacking on the distribution and population size of the Scottish crossbill and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have developed methods of surveying and identifying crossbills that will be used in a national survey. Information on coning, and therefore the food resource, will be linked to the bird survey in an attempt to clarify habitat selection by the species. Any findings will have implications for forest management and design.
