My drive to work, this afternoon, was interrupted by an impromptu stop as I spotted a flock of 20+ Waxwings perched in the top of a tree at the junction of Park Avenue and Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs. It is exactly where I had expected the flock from last week to have gone, maybe it is the same group? They were feeding on the berries directly behind the bus shelter, as they have done in other years when we've had large scale irruptive movements. I'm going to try to get round there with the camera gear tomorrow, weather permitting, to see if they are hanging about. I make no appologies for re-using some old images - Waxwings are the stuff of bird photographers dreams. Exotic, flamboyant and incredibly beautiful - what's not to like about them?
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This is probably my favourite photo of a Waxwing. Taken in the yard, at work, where a good sized flock
had taken up temporary residence, whilst feasting on the berry crop. Birds would often drop down onto
the metal drums to drink from the rainwater that collected in the lids. |
Had something similar in Northwood Dyl. A flock of Waxwings were dropping down to drink from a puddle alongside the main road, with all these people wandering about.
ReplyDeleteThe appearance and behavior of these birds catches the attention of birder and non birder alike. And they did.
Bron checks the local birding news for Waxwings most days. Quite something for someone not really interested in birds.
Rich - there's something about Waxwings that just makes you happy (smile?) Bev has absolutely no interest in birds, bugs or fish, yet will still react with some excitement, when she sees a Hoopoe or Bee-eater whilst on holiday, or a hawk-moth in the garden (usually Hummers!)
DeletePeople don't have to have an interest to find something enjoyable. These type of events demonstrate this perfectly. - Dyl
Dyl, Bron makes me smile with her descriptions of creatures she doesn't know much about. For instance: Barbel (Gruesome), Pike (Them long things), Squirrels (Pests), Grey Wagtail (Twitchy bird). And on one memorable occasion when I remarked,"Listen to those birds", during the dawn chorus. She opened one eye from her pit and replied, "Bastards".
ReplyDeleteThere's a joke in our house that Bron regards one micro disturbance enough to completely ruin a nights sleep. Cue Rose Ringed Parakeets:)