Last of the winter waxwings!

As Limpy and I were innocently sitting enjoying the birdlife at RSPB Hollesley Marshes a new arrival happened to mention that a tree opposite the pub in the local village had a healthy number of waxwings in it!  Not wishing to miss a last chance of seeing these beautiful birds we hot footed it in the direction of the pub.  As we pulled up it was obvious the birds were still with us as there was a little crowd of birders happily watching them nearby!  We soon joined them:

Anyone would think they were a normal, everyday bird here from the relaxed stance of this bird.

Is this bird thinking about the long migration soon to come?

I was delighted to catch the lovely details of their wings.

Time for a mass scoff!  These berries were very conveniently nearby.

Lots of excitement!

There were a few other birds about:

A lovely collared dove on a cable.

Another one on a TV aerial.

That's better.  Much friendlier.

'What are all these weird birds doing in my tree?'

This rook doesn't quite make it out of sight before I snap it!

Hope you all enjoy these.  When will we next see a waxwing season like this one?

Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • The Waxwings seem to have stayed longer and spread further this winter which has given lots of birders the chance to see them.

    Pete

    Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can

  • Lovely Clare, there are 7 birds not far from here at the same place I saw the 2 a couple of weeks ago I think a re-visit is on the cards.

    Regards Shane

     

    My Photos in Flickr.

  • Great captures of these pretty birds, Clare. Your trigger finger has been busy!

  • Lovely shots. I should think the Waxwings may be reluctant to return to Scandinavia with all those luscious berries still available.

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    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • Have they ever bred here?

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Always good to catch up with the Waxwings especially on a beautiful day when the sun is shining and a blue sky brings out the best in these birds.   I read there were 150 of them within 30 mins drive of us HERE but they'd probably vanish if I attempted to go check the area out.    The coloured doves are such pretty birds.  

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    Regards, Hazel 

  • You should check it out, Hazy.  These waxwings stayed in this area for hours - and they'd been in the village for days.  You never know your luck.

    Glad you're enjoying my photos!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Clare Bailey said:
    Glad you're enjoying my photos!

      I certainly am,  the flight shots are also excellent.    Just wished we were nearer to Minsmere to take a recce.     As for Waxwings, I did see them a few weeks ago at our Volkeswagen dealer's car park !!    but only 7 of them.     I'm full of chesty cough/catarrgh virus at the moment so after several hours out at the coast yesterday I'm currently zapped  lol      Sat in garden this morning watching the birdies before it clouded over but couldn't even lift the camera so left it indoors  lol 

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    Regards, Hazel 

  • That condition sounds pretty desperate coming from you Hazel,maybe in need of liquid comfort and TLC.your cue Mike LOL

    Pete

    Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can

  • Unknown said:
    Glad you're enjoying my photos!

      I certainly am,  the flight shots are also excellent.    Just wished we were nearer to Minsmere to take a recce. [/quote]Thanks, Hazy!  I wish you were nearer to Minsmere - you'll have to come for a holiday in Suffolk at some point.  Limpy and I would love to meet you both.

    Unknown said:
    As for Waxwings, I did see them a few weeks ago at our Volkeswagen dealer's car park !!    but only 7 of them.

    That's better than none!  We actually saw a flock at Ipswich Hospital, of all weird places.

    Unknown said:
    I'm full of chesty cough/catarrgh virus at the moment so after several hours out at the coast yesterday I'm currently zapped  lol      Sat in garden this morning watching the birdies before it clouded over but couldn't even lift the camera so left it indoors  lol 

    Ouch.  Sounds like the bug which flattened us last month.  Have you seen a doctor?

    Hope you feel better soon!

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.