I guess I stand a better chance of seeing a waxwing in my garden during Big Garden Birdwatch this year than any year for ages - but I'm not holding my breath. 

However, in this 'waxwing winter' I am sure that many more of us (even if it won't be me) will see these attractive birds this year. Have a look at the Birdtrack graph to see how much commoner they are this year.

There have been some lucky folk in previous years and below are two maps for 2008 and 2010 BGBWs.  I'd be surprised if the sightings aren't quite a bit more widespread and more numerous this year - but we'll see!  That's the thing about birds - they are their own masters and we are mere observers of their behaviours.

Parents
  • I saw my first ever WWs about a month ago.  I'd been looking in the far flung places of the UK that I end up, but finally got them 200 yds from where I live as I walked down to the shops.  There were about a dozen all over this one particular, quite small, bush, and quite tame.  I was so excited I had to go back with the binos - much to my wife's horror.  She thought I would end up at the police station as a peeping tom.  I was smiling like a loony all day - still makes me smile now.

    The next day, the bush was empty, and the WWs gone.  Such beautiful birds.  And unmistakable too.

Comment
  • I saw my first ever WWs about a month ago.  I'd been looking in the far flung places of the UK that I end up, but finally got them 200 yds from where I live as I walked down to the shops.  There were about a dozen all over this one particular, quite small, bush, and quite tame.  I was so excited I had to go back with the binos - much to my wife's horror.  She thought I would end up at the police station as a peeping tom.  I was smiling like a loony all day - still makes me smile now.

    The next day, the bush was empty, and the WWs gone.  Such beautiful birds.  And unmistakable too.

Children
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