This was to be in relative terms a tense couple of days. I arrived at the ski slopes on the first day at around 1030 and spent most of the day walking slopes and tracks looking for the prize bird the Crimson Winged Finch. The slopes were almost devoid of snow and as a result there were no tourists skiiing this had a knock on effect of a lack of walnut sellers in the car parks.
The birds are known to come down to the walnut sellers who crack a few nuts leaving the contents for the birds to feed on. Other visiting birders were also drawing a blank which had me go into investigative mode. I spoke to a seller who told me the Lake before the ski slopes has an early morning visit from one or more birds. Brahim from Riad Dades Birds had also mentioned this to me suggesting I would be successful if I got to the lake early morning! The seller at the Lake confimed this whilst I waited with Louis and another guide and tour that evening!
The next morning I was up and out at stupid o clock and with previous daytime knowledge of the road up to the ski slopes zoomed up to the Lake! Upon arrival there was a single Crimson Winged Finch in view which had me abandon the car in the middle of the road to get a picture.
Once I had settled myself I strategically parked up and waited for the morning to unfold. A total of three birds were seen together rumaging through the walnut cases. I kept a "live" update posted on eBird as I knew other birders (one who was staying close by) were interested in connecting with this species. Let the twitch commence!
