Topic
Topic ID 6909
02/12/2012 by Drama Queen
Waxwing birds in Bengeo!!
Fantastic sight in The Avenue all weekend that has attracted "twitchers" with massive cameras/lenses from all over the UK, beautiful scandinavian Waxwing birds roosting in a neighbours tree and flying to the next tree bursting to the seams with berries to eat... Absolutely hundreds of these pretty birds and in the sunshine lovely to see. I don't think they are usually found on our shores or in Bengeo, but lovely to see....[:)]
Replies
Reply ID 91337
02/12/2012 by greedyfly
Hi,
I saw waxwings last year in a tree opposite the Old Barge.
I used to bird watch a lot when I was younger, but can never remember seeing waxwings. I believe they are winter visitors.
On a related subject, I noticed that the trees in Salisbury Square last year were full of roosting wagtails, not seen it this year though.
cheers
Reply ID 91338
02/12/2012 by Joby
Ha - I wondered what the crowds with cameras and binoculars on The Avenue were for.
Reply ID 91340
02/12/2012 by Darcy Sarto
quote:
Originally posted by Joby
Ha - I wondered what the crowds with cameras and binoculars on The Avenue were for.
Does that explain the white van (badly parked in Sacombe Road) and camera crew (two pretty large cameras and a sound man) this morning or was that a separate excitement?
Reply ID 91349
03/12/2012 by Marilyn
I also wondered what all the cameras were about...............now I know. Must keep a look out for them.
Reply ID 91352
03/12/2012 by Darcy Sarto
Are the waxwings still around and if so is it worth putting some grapes on my bird feeder?
Reply ID 91354
03/12/2012 by Drama Queen
Dear Darcy I am no expert, but apparently the reason they are around is for the red berries on my neighbours trees. I am not an expert in Waxwing's dietary requirements but understood from the bird watchers yesterday I spoke to that this was the attraction, as they are very much wild birds and not like the sparrow or Blue Tit who like nuts and bread and stuff like that.. Perhaps the RSPB website could let you know what they like in an expert capacity....
Reply ID 91355
03/12/2012 by dennismoore
quote:
Originally posted by Drama Queen
Dear Darcy I am no expert, but apparently the reason they are around is for the red berries on my neighbours trees. I am not an expert in Waxwing's dietary requirements but understood from the bird watchers yesterday I spoke to that this was the attraction, as they are very much wild birds and not like the sparrow or Blue Tit who like nuts and bread and stuff like that.. Perhaps the RSPB website could let you know what they like in an expert capacity....
The photos on the Herts Bird club site certainly show the Bengeo waxwings tucking into some juicy pinky-red berries. Anyone know what kind of tree it is?
Reply ID 91357
03/12/2012 by Marilyn
The RSPB site says they eat
Berries, particularly rowan and hawthorn, but also cotoneaster and rose.
They are not the last 2 so I wonder if they are Rowan berries they were after?
They are further inland than usual I think, so at a guess the lack of berries this year is the reason.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/index.aspx
Reply ID 91510
09/12/2012 by Marilyn
I assume they strip one tree of berries then move on to the next one they find?
Reply ID 91512
09/12/2012 by Anorak
Spotted the Wagtails yesterday. They have taken up residency outside John Lewis.
12 replies