Waxwings

Hello

I'm just back in from a Naturetrek tour to The Gambia and a page will be created soon with images from this stunning little country.

Being away so much during December and the first bit of 2024 means I hadn't seen any of the locally occurring Waxwings so after my feed station duties I headed to Corby today to see the long-staying group of four at Priors Hall. They were there when I arrived but sadly kept their distance in very dull conditions but their stunning plumage, cute personas and beautiful trilling call always means that any effort to see a Waxwing is more than worthwhile. I watched them consuming Rowan, Privet and Guelder Rose berries and tried to photograph the adult male in the group which tend to be brighter with more extensive yellow tails, more vivid and broader primary chevrons and bright red 'waxy' tips to the secondaries. Other birds there included a Chiffchaff and a Stonechat and a herd of Fallow Deer pretty much ignored everyone!

Other birds nearby included up to eight Smew (six drakes) at Eyebrook Reservoir and twelve Crossbills by the bird hide and pool at Fineshade Wood.

A male Blackcap was in a Woodford Halse garden this afternoon and two Ravens were at Kelmarsh. Two Green Sandpipers and a pair of Stonechats were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning.

Regards

Neil M

Waxwings at Corby today.

Female Blackbird at Corby today.

Images of a Northern Waterthrush
found wintering in Essex earlier this
 month courtesy of Jim Dunkley.