Woke up this morning to find that seven Waxwings had been seen by Budgens in Mountsorrel. Now Budgens is (to the best of my knowledge) the only permanent outlet anywhere (in the whole wide world!) for my favourite cider - Farmer Fears - and my stocks of this excellent tipple were running low. So off I set.
I arrived to find LROS Chairman Brian Moore skulking behind some trees trying to find the birds. We had a chat and then went off together to look. Brian spotted them first in a 'small roost' tree beside the pavement near the roundabout. The 'feed trees' were adjacent, and well laden with berries. We were looking into the sun, so we walked past on the pavement and observed them from the other side.
 |
| Waxwing - Mountsorrel |
Brian had omitted to bring his camera out of the car, so went back to get it. As soon as he had rounded the corner they departed very determinedly to the north-west. I told Brian the sad news when he returned, and we hung around for a while, hoping for their return. We both gave up in the end, and I went to stock up with cider.
If only we'd hung around for half an hour longer - we'd have seen the 24 that arrived by Budgens, reported at 11:43!
Great stuff Richard, very nice pictures. 14 reported in Scarborough today, I set off an hour later during lunch break and no sightings so you can feel very pleased with yourself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. It's always a pleasure to catch up with these birds. Had some just a hundred yards from my home a couple of years ago.
DeleteLovely captures Richard,love the forth image.
ReplyDeleteSuperb shots,well done.
John.
Thank you John. I just wish that they, or I, had hung around longer!!
DeleteSuper images Richard, good job you took them befor hitting the cider!!!
ReplyDeleteNot seen one yet, but I'm sure it won't be long?
Thanks Paul. It seems that the signs are that it's going to be another bumper year for the Waxies. Must go an celebrate with a jar!
DeleteCheers Richard, for letting me come near to yours, they are beautiful. Fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob. I hope that you get some down there that are accessible to you!
DeleteGreat images Richard. Hopefully they'll come just a little more south. Well done
ReplyDeleteThanks Douglas. Wouldn't be surprised if they're with you already as they seem to be spreading fast now!
DeleteWhat a lovely sight and brilliant images to go with it, Richard.
ReplyDeleteThanks Christian. They really are a very special bird!
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI would give much to see these beautiful birds!
What a thrill to observe them feed on those berries!
It makes up for gorgeous pictures, well done!
Thank you Noushka - hoping for the arrival of these birds is a key part of the onset of winter for me. However, it's the Short-eared Owls that I'm REALLY hoping for!
DeleteExcellent pics Richard, they always such a treat :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan - these birds are a real treat aren't they! I'm hoping that this wasn't to be my only encounter with them this winter as I was with them for less than 5 minutes.
DeleteBeautiful images Richard! I would love to see these birds, I don't think they come down this far South:(
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. There's hope for you yet as they are already starting to arrive in your neck of the woods - there was one in the Winspit Valley, Dorset, on 6th of this month. There have been a few in Devon and Cornwall, and one in Somerset too, but they're mainly single birds - unlike the small flocks that we sometimes see here
Delete