Every winter is different here in the UK. Sometimes, it’s a mild and wet winter and sometimes it’s a cold and crisp one. Sometimes it switches between the two with regularity.
For nature-lovers, and particularly birders, winters can be characterised by which migrant birds arrive in good numbers.
Every November, I like to make a prediction, based on reports of certain birds, their numbers and where they’ve been seen as to whether it’s going to be a “waxwing winter” or a winter for something else.
Neck on the line time, but I think it’s going to be a great winter for an lot of usually scarce visitors…
It's looking good for being a waxwing winter (Louise Greenhorn RSPB-images.com)
First up is that popular berry-muncher, the waxwing. During their sporadic invasion year, numbers often arrive towards the end of the year, but already there has been a wide spread of birds and in the sort of numbers that make me think it won’t be a bad winter for them. Whether it will be a classic invasion, it’s hard to tell yet but this is definitely one to keep your eyes, and ears, open for.
Juvenile rough-legged buzzards invade very sporadically, linked to the availability of prey (Mike Langman RSPB-images.com)
It is 20 years since the last really big influx of rough-legged buzzards, but several reports in the first half of October made me wonder and now, it’s clear it is going to be a great winter for these pallid Arctic visitors. “Rough-legs” are among my favourite birds. Their neat white tails and dark belly patches, plus their habit of hovering persistently and inhabiting wild open country appeals to me. Their unpredictable arrival also puts them in the “must see” league, so this is going to be the winter to see one, hopefully more. I've already found one - at RSPB Snettisham last month. At the moment, they are still arriving down the East Coast, but some have already settled into winter territories.
Hawfinches are big, bold and beautiful. This one was taken on the Titchwell visitor centre roof! (Les Bunyan RSPB-images,com)
If that wasn’t enough, hawfinches, following last winter’s unprecedented arrival, are arriving in well above average numbers. Crossbills, bramblings and redpolls are, too. The later are bringing with them good numbers of mealy and Coues’ Arctic redpolls, birds from further north in Europe.
Crossbills munch on the cones of coniferous trees, so get understandably thirsty! (Ben Andrew RSPB-images.com)
What will you see this winter? Let’s hope there are even more exciting species to come. A nutcracker or two would be nice…
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What a wreck your expansion is! However, I'm certain your birds will turn up on the day. I generally partake in the BGBW as there is very little to appreciate in January. Friday night funkin unblocked game for schools.
What a mess your extension is! I'm sure your birds will turn up on the day though. I always enjoy the BGBW as there is very little to enjoy in January. slope game unblocked for schools.