The UK Waxwing irruption 2012
10th December 2012
This Autumn and Winter has seen a very large irruption of Waxwings into the UK with birds appearing virtually everywhere at one time or another. This appears to be happening a little more frequently in my mind since the turn of the century. I am not in possession of any statistical data to reinforce this supposition but for Waxwings to turn up in numbers in the Brecon area is unusual. Brecon, because of its UK geography and the lack of a large amount of ornamental berry trees is usually one of the last places to record these birds. However, three times since the year 2000 we have had birds in the town suggesting these irruptions are happening more frequently, before that the times I can recall Waxwings in numbers in this area are very few indeed.
It's always nice to see these birds but I suppose it's better to see them infrequently because you appreciate them more when they do arrive. When I have spoken to Scandinavian birders on my travels around the world and I mention Waxwings, Bramblings and such like, they say 'Oh those things'. It's part of the human psyche that it doesn't matter how beautiful or rare a bird is when they are seen more regularly people become disinterested in them, I suppose even the sweetest cloys with the tasting.
I have seen a number of small flocks of these lovely birds in different areas this winter and there have been some nice spectacles, but one of my favourite things about them is their song. It is a lovely, faint and delicate affair sung both in fight and when perched, it has been likened to a small jewellery chain being shaken so If you get the chance it's well worth listening for.
Waxwings can be aged and sexed by their primary and secondary wing patterns, adult males usually have 6-8 red waxy tips and females have 5-7 with the red tips being shorter on the female, so there is an overlap, but in general terms males have more red tips. Juveniles have white edging to these feathers with a very faint yellow tinge and very small or no red tips. Adult males also have a broader yellow band on their tails and a darker black throat patch.
I have, however, had a great deal of difficulty tracking down a really decent flock of these birds this winter but on the weekend I finally managed to get reasonably close to a flock of around sixty birds feeding on an ornamental Rowan. I have found by bitter experience that if you hear about a flock of these birds you have to go, if you can the same day, and at the latest first thing the next day. I am always on the alert to news of Waxwings and I am always looking in likely locations for them. This theory was borne out again with this particular flock of birds because the day after I saw them they had moved on having consumed all the berries on the Rowan tree.
I first saw these particular birds high up in an Ash tree but I saw the low level Rowan tree across the road and I knew they would be coming down to feed and they duly obliged. It's a lovely experience to have them flying right past singing and then feeding in front of you. Lets hope they hang around in the UK for some time because they look superb feeding on red berries in frost and snow.
It is still early in the winter so any area with ornamental or indeed wild berries can still attract these birds for a few months yet. They usually like Rowan first then the likes of Guelder Rose and Sorbus. Cotoneaster and Pyrocanthea are usually last, they will also feed on Hawthorn and Rose hip and they also have a liking for apples.
They 'Hawk' insects in Summer and they can be seen doing this here but it is more of a token thing as in this cold spell insects are rapidly dying off.
I have taken a few shots around various locations, Please see Latest Images Waxwings.
It's always nice to see these birds but I suppose it's better to see them infrequently because you appreciate them more when they do arrive. When I have spoken to Scandinavian birders on my travels around the world and I mention Waxwings, Bramblings and such like, they say 'Oh those things'. It's part of the human psyche that it doesn't matter how beautiful or rare a bird is when they are seen more regularly people become disinterested in them, I suppose even the sweetest cloys with the tasting.
I have seen a number of small flocks of these lovely birds in different areas this winter and there have been some nice spectacles, but one of my favourite things about them is their song. It is a lovely, faint and delicate affair sung both in fight and when perched, it has been likened to a small jewellery chain being shaken so If you get the chance it's well worth listening for.
Waxwings can be aged and sexed by their primary and secondary wing patterns, adult males usually have 6-8 red waxy tips and females have 5-7 with the red tips being shorter on the female, so there is an overlap, but in general terms males have more red tips. Juveniles have white edging to these feathers with a very faint yellow tinge and very small or no red tips. Adult males also have a broader yellow band on their tails and a darker black throat patch.
I have, however, had a great deal of difficulty tracking down a really decent flock of these birds this winter but on the weekend I finally managed to get reasonably close to a flock of around sixty birds feeding on an ornamental Rowan. I have found by bitter experience that if you hear about a flock of these birds you have to go, if you can the same day, and at the latest first thing the next day. I am always on the alert to news of Waxwings and I am always looking in likely locations for them. This theory was borne out again with this particular flock of birds because the day after I saw them they had moved on having consumed all the berries on the Rowan tree.
I first saw these particular birds high up in an Ash tree but I saw the low level Rowan tree across the road and I knew they would be coming down to feed and they duly obliged. It's a lovely experience to have them flying right past singing and then feeding in front of you. Lets hope they hang around in the UK for some time because they look superb feeding on red berries in frost and snow.
It is still early in the winter so any area with ornamental or indeed wild berries can still attract these birds for a few months yet. They usually like Rowan first then the likes of Guelder Rose and Sorbus. Cotoneaster and Pyrocanthea are usually last, they will also feed on Hawthorn and Rose hip and they also have a liking for apples.
They 'Hawk' insects in Summer and they can be seen doing this here but it is more of a token thing as in this cold spell insects are rapidly dying off.
I have taken a few shots around various locations, Please see Latest Images Waxwings.