maximum waximum!

 

4th November, Waxwings!

On returning from parkrun the news on facebook page Lothian Birdwatch was that waxwings had been spotted (BIG thanks to John Scott) near Dalmeny Street Park. Hang on, that's a couple of hundred yards down my street. I had a quick shower and breakfast then headed along the road, camera in hand. It was cold and fairly overcast: crappy weather, but hey! my waxwing dreams were coming true and here was a flock of between 20 and 40 birds sitting in a high tree next to the local park and descending every 15 minutes to feast on the rowan berries! Result! I was so pleased to see these birds after anticipating their appearance for a week or 2. They are so very charming.

a few of the 40+ flock

Waxwings are a Winter migrant and come to the UK from Scandinavia or the Siberian tundra. A quick google search unearthed this species description which covers most of the ground. From Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust...

"Waxwings are perhaps one of the most beautiful birds imaginable.  

Their buff colouration with flashes of yellow and red on the wings, elegant ‘eyeliner’ and silky large crest really make them stand out from the crowd. 

Part of a family of three species, the Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) is the species native to northern Europe. The bird’s English name refers to how they travel in large nomadic groups (bohemian) and the red tips to their secondary wing feathers that look like seal wax droplets (waxwing). 

But it’s not all about the looks. Their trilling ‘sirrrrr’ call sounds like a small ringing bell – perhaps akin to Santa’s sleigh dashing overhead – as flocks of up to 100 birds move from tree to tree.   

Bohemian waxwings breed within the northern parts of Europe’s coniferous belt, often in remote, damp, mossy mature forests nesting high in pines. In winter, they escape the numbing temperatures of north-eastern Europe and western Russia and head west in search of more temperate conditions, feeding on fruit-rich trees including apple, rowan and hawthorn. During winter, a relatively small number of these starling-sized birds travel to UK shores; first seen on the east coast before spreading west and south from there.  

Waxwings are referred to as irruptive, which means on occasion large numbers of the birds migrate beyond their typical range. Some years, hundreds of thousands of waxwings will land in the UK, often labelled as a ‘waxwing winter’. But why does this happen? 

Waxwings are pushed away from their breeding grounds in search of food, and it’s the yield of fruit trees that determines how far afield waxwings must travel. Most fruit trees of the same, and of similar, species bear fruit at the same time. This can result in a bounty of fruits in some years, and practically none in others. During years of bad yields, large numbers of waxwings will migrate large distances. Recent reports of poor berry crops in Finland and Sweden suggest an irruption is possible this year! "

Caroline, a birder pal also turned up.

sitting in groups in the tallest local trees

Every now and then a solitary bird would leave the sanctuary of the high tree they were gathered in, to head towards a rowan tree. (Where we stood quietly taking photos!) The rowans are smaller trees and no doubt the birds sense they are more vulnerable. Many times the instigator will probably return to the heights of the gathered group, but on occasion a group of 5 or 10 birds will latch on and a proportion of the flock descend to the berries. They will hop around swallowing whole berries for a few minutes then leave in ones and twos, or as a group, and fly back to the safety of the control tower.

high up in the tallest local trees

the queue at the hairdresser?

It is difficult to know what brings the birds to a specific location. Other than proximity to rowan or apple trees. Last year I had to cycle to Bankhead Roundabout to see them; a baltic and dismal spot on the Calder Road. Certainly not chosen for its aesthetic surroundings. And yet a nearly annual hotspot for waxwing sightings. As is Baird Drive (near Jenners Depository) which I have visited a handful of times this season (so far) without joy although they have been reported visiting at both locations in the last week. Baird Drive boasts a double avenue of rowan trees bearing fruit and is not a million miles from the arboreal shelter Corstorphine Hill offers. The birds will often remain in a specific area until the berries have been entirely stripped. Though equally can disappear without apparent motive. It all adds to the magic and quirkiness of the visitations.

not even the arrival of the bin men could discourage the birds

I had wandered along to Pilrig Street but there was no sign of any outliers targetting the berries on the rowan trees there. (As I have been fantasising for years now!) Which was a shame as the direction of light and background building colour provide the perfect photography-studio backdrop.

After about 2 hrs the weather was deteriorating and light fading. I had enjoyed chatting with Caroline, discussing careers and book groups, cameras and wildlife delights. Mary came out and joined us, taking photos in ten minutes as good as my 2 hour vigil provided. Hah! I hoped the birds would hang around the area as it was super convenient for my flat and the forecast promised sunnier days ahead. I was medium pleased with the photos from the day. My camera struggled a bit in the sludgy grey light but the beauty of the waxwings shone through. I felt very lucky and very blessed to be visited by these splendid specimens, but also felt that with decent weather I could maybe get better photos.