As the cold spell melts away to a balmy 10 degrees, it is good to think of how these small weather features can have an impact upon local patch birding.
I have already posted this month's birding in just a single km square around home we've had Woodcock, Water Rail, Little Auk, Blue Fulmar, masses of Thrushes, Snipe, Pink footed Geese, Golden Plovers, Lapwings etc but as I look through the apple feeding thrushes and see, I am reminded by Twitter, one of the W's was missing. Until yesterday that is.
We have had family staying over the weekend and as they packed the car to leave on Sunday morning the timing was perfect for a quartet of Waxwings to drop in to the berryless rowan right beside the cars. I called to them, 'Waxwings!' and pointed . Everyone looked and were treated to great views of the birds only 10 feet away. They had been attracted by a few measly rosehips growing through the Rowan.
The birds, all soft crests and dove grey pink, fluttered down into the bush like dancers trying not to get their tutus dirty, but soon they flew off over the house.
I went around with the camera and some apples to hang in our small birch tree. The vikings were now in our tall dividing hedge where they had found a few more hips. These birds are masters at seeking out a few trivial berries that you or I wouldn't even notice, but again they were off. I finally managed a couple of cursory record shots at range in a neighbour's apple tree before they flew off again, this time, for good.
Its a few years since I had patch Waxers so it was good to see them again. Maybe there'll be more?
3 comments:
None for me yet, although they've been nearby, the apples are out in hope.
Nice, I've had 2 on the patch for over a week, but they've moved on as the berries are all eaten.
Alastair -I think you will have missed incomers, maybe you'll get them on the return journey.
Derek - Yes, few berries left here after the cold spell, but they are masters at finding the last half dozen hidden on a bush somewhere...
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