Waxwing Winter

Waxwings have been in good supply this winter, and either side of the new year. I was fortunate enough to see a small flock in November in Wiveton, Norfolk, but then caught up with a really substantial flock of 100+ birds in January in Derbyshire. These birds were feeding on the berries along the Monsal trail. They put on a great show for the many birders and locals that walked past. It's been probably 10 years since I last saw so many here in the UK, and this has truly been a Waxwing Winter. I hope it's not another 10 years until the next one.

Waxwing on my doorstep.

There's something about the Waxwing that has that Wow factor for me. So when one was reported just 15 minutes away from my front door, I couldn't not go and see it. I usually see them in larger flocks, but this was a single bird that had been around for a few days and had a ready supply of berries on hand.
It was a cold grey day, and the sky was typical of many that are the background of my Waxwing pictures. Thankfully the bird itself does enough to brighten up even the dullest shots.
Only gripe I have is that it stayed in between the branches of this tree and it was difficult to get a clean shot of it. Shouldn't really complain. The bird was happy enough, I was happy to add it to my year list and delighted to catch up with one again.

Waxwings. Our Winter Wonders.

Waxwings are one of those birds that make you go Wow! Back in the winter of 2010/2011 I was lucky enough to see good numbers of them on a few occasions. Every winter since I've been hoping and praying that I'll see another. There have been some around, but never in a place or at a time that was easy for me to get to see them. Until now.
This particular bird has quite a story behind it. It is a lone bird that has returned to the very same garden that it was feeding in in February 2013 with as many as 100 others. We know this as it was ringed as a first winter female at that time. The rings confirm that it has returned. The very good owner of the house puts apples out for the birds to feed on, and must be commended for his superb work in doing so and alerting others to its presence on a daily basis.
This time the bird is on its own, but it was such a joy to see. I hope its not another four or five years until I see my next one.

2011 Highlights (Part 1 of 3)

Approaching the end of the year, I thought I'd try and pick out my birding highlights of the last 12 months. There have been many this year in a list of 138 different species seen.

In no particular order, here we go. The year started well with an invasion of Waxwings from Scandinavia. I was fortunate to see some on four separate occasions from Stockport to Macclesfield. Listen for the trill that these birds make. It’s quite unmistakeable.

As Spring and Summer arrived so did our migrant birds, and as luck would have it so did a Wood Warbler, not far from my house in Carrs Wood, Bramhall. A fantastic bird, gave brilliant views for several weeks. A real delight, and a first for me.

My first encounter with Waxwings came in Wilmslow, where this shot was taken.

I liked this shot in black and white. These Waxwings were seen in Edgley, Stockport.

The Wood Warbler, which sang non stop for several weeks.

Wood Warbler again. This time getting ready to sing.