Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulus 18cm

Waxwings are unpredictable winter visitors to the UK from eastern Europe and Scandanavia. The winter of 2004/5 has seen one of the largest influxes of these colourful birds in this part of the UK.

The shots shown here didn't require a long journey on my part as a flock has been busy working through every bush with berries in the area for the last few weeks. The flock spends most of it's time perched near the top of trees and the repeated high pitched calls are easily identified once heard.

On the move, the birds look alot like starlings in flight and will often fly from tree to tree as a flock. If you're patient it is sometimes possible to approach Waxwings to within about 10 yards without disturbing them, they seem quite happy to be observed from below the trees they're perching in.