The Lincolnshire Bird Club

There was nothing to report (NTR) re Waxwings on the Crofton Road Industrial Estate, Lincoln as I drove around just after 10.00 this morning (Tue), nor from the Outer Circle Road area.

Further to Pete Scott's report of 7th Jan of 28 Waxwings along the Thurlby Lake roadside, I then made for that location. As I was driving along the A46 towards the Swinderby roundabout at c.11.00, a group of Waxwings flew across the road to some Hawthorns on my nearside, about 400 yards before the roundabout. There was a convenient layby ahead where I parked. Walking back along the pedestrian/cycle path, I saw that the birds were now perching in 2 trees alongside the opposite carriageway. I counted 48.

NTR from the Thurlby Lake roadside area but as I was driving back into Witham St Hughs, a large flock of Siskins flew into some roadside Alders. I parked and counted c.30 feeding. However, when the flock later took off, the real number increased, as usual,........ to c.60.

I thought I would check out the Witham St Hughs Estate for Waxwings.....just as well I did : passing Oak Tree Drive at c.12.00, I glanced down the road and noted a group of Waxwings perched in a tree. Parking and checking further, I saw that there were 7 in the tree and another 12 perched on the nearby TV aerial of number 9 - a previous stakeout because of its low front hedge of Cotoneaster berries (quite a few still there). Standing below, but not directly underneath (!) the TV aerial, I noted the CONSTANT stream of droppings for which Waxwings are well known. From that angle I had an excellent view of this species' particular habit.

Returning c.12.20 along the A 46, I passed the previous group of Waxwings in much the same place as before, some perched in a tree on my nearside, and others flying across the road to the Hawthorn hedge opposite.

Freddy

Hi Freddy,
Thanks for your observations.
I'm glad you mentioned Waxwings on a TV aerial. I have seen more waxwings on aerials, telephone wires, road signs or fences than on berried bushes !

Clive,

As I pointed out at length in my 2011 Waxwing article on LBC Bird Chat : "Reflexions on the Waxwing Winter and Spring 2010/11" (latest post 21Nov 2012) :

22 ""If you are at a stakeout, eg in a car, and you can only have in view either the known berry tree/bush or the known perching site, it is advisable to choose the view with the perching site. Several times I have waited at stakeouts when the Waxwings have arrived at the perching site and they have stayed there for up to half an hour..... and then flown off for whatever reason without even visiting the berries."......... So, Clive, perching sites are just as important as berry sites, sometimes more so.

Freddy