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Waxwings (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Macswede
- Start date
gareth_blockley
Smile people
That's news to my ears! Waxwing is one of my target species for this year so hopefully they'll be over her soon too..
Gareth
Gareth
Macswede
Macswede
Sweden has a small population - only amout 9 million people - but it's a very long country geographically, stretching from near Denmark in the south to the Arctic Circle in the north. This means that there is tremendous variation in wildlife, and to some extent traditions, between the different parts.
To give a couple of examples: my sister-in-law lives in Helsingborg in the south and when I visit her I see a lot of Red Kites and sometimes White Storks.
For a few days during the summer I was in the South Swedish Highlands (very near the Norwegian border) and suddenly found myself in a region with wolves, bears, lynx and wolverines (didn't see any though). I did see Siberian Jays though and birds like Siskins that I normally see during the winter. There were also lots of Bramblings which we really only see in Stockholm during migration periods.
In Stockholm you can see White-tailed Eagles fly over the centre if you're lucky and Goshawks have begun to hunt the feral pigeons. I've also seen Osprey near the centre. In Djurgården (an area of parks, canals and old woodland very near the centre of the city) there are dense populations of Tawny Owls and Goshawks.
The biggest celebration in Sweden as a whole is Midsummer which is an interesting combination of old traditions and drunkenness. The proportions vary according to who you're celebrating with.
We Stockholmers tend to think of Stockholm as central Sweden but it's really quite far south geographically. We used to have snow all winter (November-April/May). But though we still have some snow there is generally less and it tends not to lie for such long periods. It's becoming wetter and windier instead.
Sandra (Taylor)
Well-known member
They tend to show in Scotland first, Kathy. One or two have been reported but also a couple in Norfolk. But we want flocks of them don't we? Like in 2005 was it? Don't know whether they get to Bedford though.
Sandra
Sandra
Hi Sandra
Thank you for your information here :t:
I agree a flock of them all at once would be a great thing to see. I just hope that they come this way just for a look at them.
I am sure there will be reports from people here where they are, so that makes it a must for everyone to see. :-O
Regards
Kathy
gareth_blockley
Smile people
As far as i understand they can pretty much end up any where if there is enough of them as they eat all the berries and move on so become quite mobile. I seem to recall they often turn up in parks and car parks were Rowan trees have been planted..
Hi Gareth
Thank you for your information here.
I see that you stay in Oxfordshire. Any sightings there at all?
There are lots and lots of Rowan trees in Scotland along with the Hawthorn etc ..... So I can see why Waxwings love Rowan's, and Scotland has a lot of them.
The one difference I have noticed a big difference England and Scotland, is there seems to be a lot more types of berry trees and berry bushes. I have never seen some many types before. It must be the fact it is a bit warmer down south, and the weather is more milder than up north.
Birds know what wild food is best, and they let us know too.
Regards
Kathy.
A nice influx of waxwings would certainly brighten up a dull winter in Dublin. In 2005, a flock of about 50 spent a few weeks feeding in the trees around the school where I teach. It was a great opportunity to show otherwise uninterested teenagers something special. And a lot of them actually appreciated it....I mean who can´t love a waxwing?
Hi Sancho
Waxwings are so easy to recognise.
There is no other bird that has that distinguished plume on top of its head that I know of
2005 sounded a great year for Waxwings for Ireland, and it is good that your teenagers where enthralled by them too.
Yes, Waxwings are very lovable, and beautiful to look at. o
ooRegards
Kathy
Hi Baphomet
You have seen them in Edinburgh, and at your front door too. Which part of Edinburgh do you stay? (my hometown here :t
Lucky you, and for 6 years too. I am jealous here.
Regards
Kathy
Hi baphomet
Willowbrae nice area :t:
You are right Edinburgh is a beautiful place. Moved to Edinburgh from Lasswade here at a young age.
First to the Meadows, then Morningside, used to stay at Newington at one stage. Last place was near Liberton/Gilmerton, and used to walk to Duddingston Loch a lot and around Braid Hills all of the time.
Never saw any Waxwings either, or it was more blind to the fact.
I moved to Bedford this March.
Regards
Kathy
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markgrubb
Leading a life of quiet desperation
Well you must be round the corner from me-I stay in the Meadowfields-took up birding in 2004 and one of my first sightings was a group of about 350 in Northfield Broadway feeding on the rowans there-another group of about 200 flew in and then they all flew off north-they were fearless feeding on trees as people walked just 5 metres away-and I remember being struck by their direct fast powerful flight.
And the last 2 winters have been pretty good for them here too.....
