WAXWINGS ARRIVE IN BIG NUMBERS AND A FEW ROUGH-LEGS TOO

[Wandering Tattler]

Over the past 10 days Waxwings have been arriving in large numbers in eastern and northern parts of the UK. There has been a number of sightings of flocks in excess of 100 and at least one flock of over 500. As they strip berry bushes they will no doubt be spreading west and south, so keep your eyes open on those rowans and cotoneasters.

Also several Rough-legged Buzzards have been seen in Yorkshire and Norfolk, with 7 Rough-legs through Spurn in the last few weeks and up to 4 together at Sleddale in Cleveland. Could another reach Haxton Down on Salisbury Plain?

[roger dickey]

Blow Salisbury Plain...get them all down to the Mendips.

[Lesser Spot Finder]

Over the past 10 days Waxwings have been arriving in large numbers in eastern and northern parts of the UK. There has been a number of sightings of flocks in excess of 100 and at least one flock of over 500. As they strip berry bushes they will no doubt be spreading west and south, so keep your eyes open on those rowans and cotoneasters.

Also several Rough-legged Buzzards have been seen in Yorkshire and Norfolk, with 7 Rough-legs through Spurn in the last few weeks and up to 4 together at Sleddale in Cleveland. Could another reach Haxton Down on Salisbury Plain?

Sadly no real Waxwing movement in the South East yet. Berry bushes are full and await them..................I need them on my Surrey Year List.

[Bob Hayward]

A waxwing was reported in Devizes last week but the person who put it on the pager didnt say where

[roger dickey]

Not sure if this will work but should link to the Fair Isle Waxwings:

http://fair-isle.blogspot.com/2010/11/w ... lways.html

Roger

[Wandering Tattler]

Roger great find. The photos are of Tommy and his son who live at Auld Haa in the southern part of Fair Isle, with a real treat of tolerant Waxwings. Tommy is an American whose family won a competition to live in the National Trust property Auld Haa.

The photos were taken 5 days after Andy Harrison and I had finished the Fair Isle recce. To add to the amazing birds that Tommy gets in his garden, Andy and I saw a Barred Warbler on 3 days eating apples and landing on his windowsills, Twite on his bird feeder, Little Bunting in his vegetable patch and Blyth's Reed Warbler a stone's throw away. Tommy has had Brown-headed Cowbird in his garden too.

Look out for information from the recce in the next newsletter.