Waxwings (1 Viewer)

[Macswede]

Saw lots today very near to our flat. They were very restless though and there didn't seem to be much about in the way of berries.

 

[markgrubb]

Saw lots today very near to our flat. They were very restless though and there didn't seem to be much about in the way of berries.

Good-cos the rowan trees are groaning here in Edinburgh. Just send them across

 

[Capercaillie71]

I drove past some of the favoured sites in Aberdeen today (including the site of the famous flock of 1800 birds in 2004). No sign, but surely the first birds will appear in the next week or so.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

100 reported in Co. Fermanagh today. Quite an unlikely place for the first big flock!

 

[Jos Stratford]

Berry crop has failed in Finland, reasnable chance of good southward movement this year - small numbers over the last week here in Lithuania and c.15 all day in my garden today, feeding on apples.

 

[kas]

Berry crop has failed in Finland, reasnable chance of good southward movement this year - small numbers over the last week here in Lithuania and c.15 all day in my garden today, feeding on apples.

Lucky devil. Can I swap you a few hundred Starlings?

 

[rokermartin]

Big numbers of Waxwing passing thru Oland off the Swedish coast last few days.

 

[McMadd]

Also...to get the UK blood pressures rising a report of 1300+ Pine Grozzers on the West coast today...Finland that is...certainly confirm Jos's comment re the Finnish berries...none to be had here...been Waxwings reported locally (I had two flocks totalling c.100 from the bus mid week) here but they ain't hanging about...also 6 Hawk Owls on the alerts last time I looked this evening including one about 40km east of town...

 

[Sancho]

I agree a real treat. I moved up to Edinburgh from England 6 years ago and have seen them every winter since. I even had a flock of 14 outside my front window at the start of this year.

Superb name, Baphomet....you win the prize for the most original BF nickname yet! If I worship your head will I be suppressed by the Papacy?

 

[savi]

They always seem to turn up at one or other of our petrol stations! They seem to stay a while too. Lets hope they dont all stay up there in Scotland!

 

[baphomet]

Superb name, Baphomet....you win the prize for the most original BF nickname yet! If I worship your head will I be suppressed by the Papacy?

Probabaly but to be honest it ain't worth worshiping!

 

[BostonTom]

I live just north of Boston. Three years ago we had a horrible caterpillar infestation which devoured the tree's leaves. The only good to come of it was flocks of Cedar Waxwings came to eat the caterpillars. I've live here 20 years and that was the only time I saw the waxwings in my yard.

 

[Peewit]

I live just north of Boston. Three years ago we had a horrible caterpillar infestation which devoured the tree's leaves. The only good to come of it was flocks of Cedar Waxwings came to eat the caterpillars. I've live here 20 years and that was the only time I saw the waxwings in my yard.

Hi Tom

Interesting to know that.

Wonder what the reason was behind the caterpiller infestation.

Regards
Kathy

 

[Macswede]

There were a few outside the office window again today. Hope to get some more pictures at the weekend.

 

[buzzard12]

Big numbers moving here in Scandinavia now. Heavy numbers on the baltic coast of Sweden moving south. Berry crop has not failed as such in Sweden, not a good crop though this year, Rowan trees seem to have little fruit for some reason.
Hoping for a Pine Grosbeak influx into Sweden over the next three weeks after the waxwing flocks mop up the last of the finnish berries!

 

[Macswede]

They're outside the office window again (about 20 birds) and I have no camera. Very frustrating. On the other hand if I did have a camera I'd probably never get any work done.

 

[Macswede]

Hoping for a Pine Grosbeak influx into Sweden over the next three weeks after the waxwing flocks mop up the last of the finnish berries!

Pine Grosbeaks would be nice. I think it was 3 winters ago I saw a mixed flock of Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks from our flat.

 

[Peewit]

They're outside the office window again (about 20 birds) and I have no camera. Very frustrating. On the other hand if I did have a camera I'd probably never get any work done.

Pine Grosbeaks would be nice. I think it was 3 winters ago I saw a mixed flock of Crossbills and Pine Grosbeaks from our flat.

Hi Graham

What bad luck, not to have a camera - can you borrow a friends or buy a disposible one. True about the work thing - they must be great to look at. though.

Crossbills are beautiful to look at. I was lucky to see a Scottish Crossbill doing what it does best stripping pine seeds from cones - close up too. :-O

Regards
Kathy

 

[Macswede]

Lucky you Cathy! I've seen crossbills in Scotland but I don't think they were Scottish Crossbills.

 

[Peewit]

Lucky you Cathy! I've seen crossbills in Scotland but I don't think they were Scottish Crossbills.

Hi Graham

What type of Crossbills reside in Scotland?

Are they more likely to be Common Crossbills. I saw the one individual in a Pine Forest in Callander, Scotland. What I remember was that it was rusty coloured, and very distinctive to see.

Regards
Kathy