Waxwings Everywhere - 13 November 2012

Yes, Waxwings everywhere due to a serious shortfall of berries in Scandinavia. They have though, proved difficult to pin down as they rapidly strip trees of their berries and move on down the country. And having followed a few vague reports of local sightings, there had been nothing to go after with any confidence so it had been a patient waiting game.

Until this morning that is, when 12 birds at a Knutsford industrial estate were being repeatedly reported for a second consecutive day. I did the 35 mile drive with fingers crossed and within the hour I was delighted to be looking at my first Waxwings.

The report was accurate as there were 12 birds. Perched high in a bare tree on the corner of a car park and occasionally up in the air taking insects, they mostly swooped down to the nearby Rowans and gorged on the berries. They were totally unconcerned by human presence, a fact I discovered as I watched these amazing birds flying to and from one of the shorter Rowan trees, over the heads of two people chatting loudly a couple of  metres away. I got quite close to this particular tree over the next hour and had fantastic views of the birds taking up to 5 berries per visit to the tree.

It was a miserable grey day but this beautiful, mesmerising bird would look good in any weather.

Waxwing taking Rowan Berries at Knutsford...

... and perched high above, digesting the fruits of another successful berry raid