Urban birding

Waxwing, Tomkinson Road, Nuneaton

Waxwing

Waxwing

Mistle Thrush

Redwing

Redwing

Waxwing

Friday 17th December 2010

I'd intented to go over to Burbage near Hinckley in Leicestershire to look for the flock of 50+ Waxwings seen yesterday but when Dave Hutton found a group of Waxwings near his home I was spoilt for choice. Burbage would have been nearer but its nice to see Waxwings in your own town. I joined Dave after the last heavy snow shower of the morning and we commuted between the groups of Rowans the birds had been feeding on. No sign. After a warming coffee at Dave's place we had one more look around before it was time to move on. As I drove back towards town 2 Waxwings flew across the road. As I parked up a number of Waxwings flew round and attempted to land on a couple of Rowans before flying off again and disappearing over the houses. I phoned Dave and waited to see if the birds would return to the Rowan tree in a small park opposite the Cherry tree pub. Two of them obliged before being pushed off by the local Mistle Thrush. Frustrating for the Waxwings who needed to feed but also for the photographer who just wanted a couple of record shots for his blog, the Waxwings were never allowed to settle. The Mistle thrushes didnt seem to mind the Redwings or Blackbirds raiding their stash but took great exception to the Waxwings everytime they got anywhere near the berries. The sun was now quite bright during the afternoon and luckily I was able to grab a couple of shots.