Sunday November 19 - Are we Waxwing ready?

A day of sunny intervals and increasingly lengthy showers. I was surprised to find Dave waiting for me at the end of the Netherstead access road. He proposed we walk along the road looking for Waxwing-ready bushes, and given that John Chidwick had reported a complete absence of waterfowl yesterday, it seemed like as good a plan as any.

The last Waxwing winter was in 2012/13 and brought plenty locally, but none to the patch. However, the largest influx of all came in 2010/11 when as well as flocks of 65 in Alcester, 50 in Redditch, and 40 in Cheswick Green, a few were seen at Morton Bagot in December 2010, followed by 15 on January 13 2011. Unfortunately because the County Recorder was so overwhelmed that winter the name of the finder was not published so I've never discovered where exactly they were, or who saw them. I just know it wasn't me.

This winter Waxwings are advancing southwards again. There are already small parties in Cannock and West Bromwich, and there has been a record in Rugby. It's just a matter of time before they get to Redditch, and maybe this time I'll see one on the patch.

So what do we need? Well obviously lots of berries. The early signs are encouraging. The hedgerows are stuffed with hawthorn berries.

Roadside hawthorn

Hawthorn berries by the pool

The problem with hawthorn is that it's the favourite food of Redwings and Fieldfares, and usually they have been scoffed by the time the Waxwings arrive. This year we think the crop of berries is particularly strong, while the number of thrushes might be a little lower than normal. Nevertheless we saw about 70 Redwings/Fieldfares today, so maybe these berries will be gone by the turn of the year.

In my experience of seeing Waxwings in previous invasions their berry of choice seems to be cotoneaster. This may just be because they are popular with gardeners and so are concentrated in urban areas, which puts off the winter thrushes. Today we found just one cotoneaster bush. It was at High Field Farm.

Cotoneaster

However, I have heard that Guelder Rose berries can also be popular with Waxwings. Walking down through the Heart of England Forest there were several Guelder Roses stuffed with berries.

Guelder Rose

So I would say we have every chance. I just need to be lucky and persistent.

Other berries seen included Spindle and Rose-hips, but the main habitat remains dominated by birches and other deciduous saplings. No good for Waxwings but ideal for Redpolls. 

Birches

Did we see any birds today? Well it wasn't quite as desperate as yesterday. Our highlights were a pair of Red Kites passing through, a calling Marsh Tit, and yes we saw some waterfowl, specifically two Snipe, about 10 Lapwings, and 15 Teal. Most of the latter were hidden away at the edge of the furthest flash, but one Teal made it to the nearest flash where I suspect John had concentrated his effort.

The token Teal

Next week I'll be resuming the wandering so it could be another quiet one.