Bramblings at Sowerby Bridge

Peachy Steve is one of our newer members at Halifax Scientific Society. He got these superb shots of a male Brambling in Dodge Royd Wood on 5th Jan. The flock was feeding on Beech mast on towards Triangle.

You can see how the head feathers are black closer to its skin. When the grey tips wear off  the black will be revealed ready for breeding in spring. This is a common way of changing colour among birds. It avoids the heavy investment of moulting and growing a new set.