Anyone seen Waxwings

**kas** · 04-Nov-05, 00:12

Has anybody come across any Waxwing yet? I saw a report on a bird website of 25 in a garden in Thurso, and I know Rheghead saw 6 today.
I saw some in Achsvarasdale last year and am hoping to see them again this year.

**Geo** · 04-Nov-05, 00:19

My dad mentioned seeing some a few days ago.

**kas** · 04-Nov-05, 00:23

Do you know where?

**Geo** · 04-Nov-05, 01:00

Do you know the junction on the Thurso/Wick road that takes you down to Halkirk? If approaching that junction from Thurso, take the left. A hundred yards or so up that road there is another left that takes you back to the main road. They were in one of the gardens there.

**porshiepoo** · 04-Nov-05, 10:12

Ummmm, What's a waxwing?

I mean I take it it's a bird but what do they look like???

**kas** · 04-Nov-05, 16:14

You'll find a picture here.

http://www.birdforum.net/bird_view.php?bid=1438

**Tugmistress** · 04-Nov-05, 17:03

or you just google on images for waxwing

http://images.google.co.uk/images?cl...=Search+Images

**porshiepoo** · 04-Nov-05, 17:03

Wow they're pretty, but which one is it? The cedar, the bohemian or the japenese?

**larcc** · 04-Nov-05, 17:19

My Mum had 4 in her garden the other day she lives in thurso

**kas** · 04-Nov-05, 21:07

They are bohemian.
My friend found some in Reay yesterday. I have my fingers crossed for tomorrow, but knowing my luck!!!!!!!
Bet your Mum was well chuffed Larcc. Even if you are not into birds, you cant help but admiring these stunning birds.
A big thanks to everyone who has replied so far.

**Kenn** · 04-Nov-05, 23:37

Have often seen them out by Weydale and Devil's Moss along with their close relatives the Fieldfares..don't know if you have the same lore up there but down sooth if they appear before December it is considered to be the sign of a hard winter on the way.
Don't know what happened here last year but saw a small flock in January when the temp was 15C !
Always love to see them whether I'm north or south they make winter a little brighter.

**kas** · 04-Nov-05, 23:57

Originally Posted by LIZZ

Have often seen them out by Weydale and Devil's Moss along with their close relatives the Fieldfares..don't know if you have the same lore up there but down sooth if they appear before December it is considered to be the sign of a hard winter on the way.
Don't know what happened here last year but saw a small flock in January when the temp was 15C !
Always love to see them whether I'm north or south they make winter a little brighter.

I saw them at the end of October last year and there was an invasion of them, a flock of 1500 was spotted in Moray in November. People were saying that because there was so many, it was a sign of a bad winter. But we certainly never had a bad winter.
I think they tend to appear in Scotland about this time, then make their way south. A theory is that they come over here if food is in short supply on the continent. They eat berries from trees such as the Rowan.

**gleeber** · 05-Nov-05, 01:01

Waxwings were the birds who made me sit up and take notice of nature. Ever since I spotted 3 of them in a tree about 12 years ago Ive taken an interest in spotting birds.
I wonder if you meant redwings Lizz? I first saw redwings and their thrush cousins the fieldfares in Hill O Forss about the same time.

**Kenn** · 08-Nov-05, 20:39

gleeber thank you for pointing out the errors of my ways! Must have been having a senior moment as I did mention Redwings and their cousins maybe due to the fact that I would rather be up there watching 'em than down here.
Have seen waxwings out that way though and also over to Sutherland where the road turns left to Sthrathhalladale.Happy bird watching where ever you are folks.
P.S Being the same age as myself you will no doubt understand about such things

**brandy** · 08-Nov-05, 20:53

wow what can i say they are just beautiful! amazing actually! are the males and the females both like that or are the females dull?

**kas** · 08-Nov-05, 21:27

No they are pretty much the same. There is very slight differences, the red tips on their secondaries and the yellow bar on the tail are more prominent in the males, and the shape of the black chin patch differs slightly.
Personally I wasnt able to tell any difference the one time I saw them. But to be honest I dont think you would be bothered anyway, as they are such a beautiful sight.

**r.rackstraw** · 08-Nov-05, 22:45

There were half a dozen waxwings at Brough at the end of October.

**Rheghead** · 08-Nov-05, 23:58

I saw more (possible) waxwings today but only discernable from their song and their starling-like flight. (about a dozen I'd say). They were heading east from Reay.

**kas** · 10-Nov-05, 20:44

More sightings comming in. My uncle had a dozen on Tuesday in his garden, and my gran had some too.
Looks like I am not destined to see one this year.