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Waxwings (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JRE
- Start date
There have been reasonable numbers around Aberdeen over the past week but not too many elsewhere. Maybe if we get a cold blow from the east we might get a bit more of an influx. This'll probably happen at some stage but when is impossible to say. Whether any of them will get down to Devon is even less certain.
kmonty1950
Well-known member
Hi Firecrest,
I've just had a look back through my records and, apart from the influx at the beginning of 2005, Waxwing can be extremely difficult to catch up with in Devon, in fact, I've heard it said cynically, that they don't seem to like crossing the M4! Your best bet would be to keep an ear to the ground and be prepared to twitch any individual birds that are found within travelling distance. For some reason, I seem to have more records for Taunton (at a housing estate next to the motorway) than anywhere.
The Wildlife in Devon Website is as good a source of info as anywhere.
Good luck
Ken
I've just had a look back through my records and, apart from the influx at the beginning of 2005, Waxwing can be extremely difficult to catch up with in Devon, in fact, I've heard it said cynically, that they don't seem to like crossing the M4! Your best bet would be to keep an ear to the ground and be prepared to twitch any individual birds that are found within travelling distance. For some reason, I seem to have more records for Taunton (at a housing estate next to the motorway) than anywhere.
The Wildlife in Devon Website is as good a source of info as anywhere.
Good luck
Ken
Capercaillie71
Well-known member
Andrew Whitehouse said:
I looked for them on Sunday without much luck, but as you say they have only really been around for the last week or so. Whenever we have had reasonable numbers recently (or a massive invasion like 2004) they have tended to appear earlier, in October. Don't know if this always holds true though.
Surreybirder
Ken Noble
Don't give up, Jyothi,
They're scarce in Surrey but one turned up in my next-door-neighbour's garden in Feb 2005.
Ken
They're scarce in Surrey but one turned up in my next-door-neighbour's garden in Feb 2005.
Ken
I think I was birding for around 17 years before I saw my first Waxwings. And nowadays I quite often see them on my way to work (although not so far this winter).
Mike Feely
Well-known member
Took me almost 20 years & nearly missed out in the 04/05 invasion - finally saw 3 in March 05.
not seen one since - hope it doesn't take another 20 years!
Mike
not seen one since - hope it doesn't take another 20 years!
Mike
Wendy Morris
Well-known member
The Firecrest said:
I feel the same Firecrest! They did manage to cross the M4 in early 2005 and were with in spitting distance of me, but unfortunately I was unwell and never got to see them.
Sue Wright
Well-known member
Hi Jyothi,
If we get another winter like the one before last (Jan 05) then keep a look out as they were down in Newton Abbot for a good while. The closest we had them was at Taunton, just off the M5 (or M4, my geography isn't like yours Wendy!). Another 8 years - if what they say is right, that we get great years around every 10 years then keep a look out! Not too long to wait!
Sue
If we get another winter like the one before last (Jan 05) then keep a look out as they were down in Newton Abbot for a good while. The closest we had them was at Taunton, just off the M5 (or M4, my geography isn't like yours Wendy!). Another 8 years - if what they say is right, that we get great years around every 10 years then keep a look out! Not too long to wait!
Sue
The Raptor
Bristol City's No.1 Fan!
While doing my first ever Breeding Bird Survey on April 15th 2005 for the Avon region, I amazingly saw seven Waxwings & only two minutes into the survey, got within a few yards of them, talk about beginners luck.
Rod.
Rod.
Capercaillie71
Well-known member
The Firecrest said:
Unmistakable given a half decent view, but waxwings seen in a 'drive-by' situation, sillhouetted at the top of a tree are not necessarily very easy to tell from starlings. The crest is the easiest distinguishing feature in this situation.
Wendy Morris
Well-known member
Sue Wright said:
The reason I mentioned the M4 Sue, was because of the comment Kmonty had made about them being reluctant to cross the M4!
That lot in Taunton were by Sainsbury`s, weren`t they?....just off the M5 junction and enjoying the berries in the trees in the car park!
