Saturday, 5 January 2013

Winter Visitors.

                                                                                 Waxwings.


In recent weeks a number of winter visiting birds have been finding there way in to the U K and one of the prettiest to be seen is the Waxwing. It has been seen in several areas in Staffordshire already and there is a chance that they will be back, so keep a look out for them.




This winter visitor has travelled all the way from Scandinavia to the U K before returning back there in April or there a bouts. It is a very pretty bird with a crest on top of it's head, Yellow tip on it's tail with Red and White markings on it's wings. It is often seen in small flocks as it travel's around in the search of berries and fruits to feed on, while it winters here. It is not unusual for these birds to be seen in much larger flocks sometimes numbering in the hundreds. They are about the size of a Starling and their flight is also similar. The most recent sightings nearest to Burton was yesterday January 4th, where a flock of around 25/30 was seen at Calver Rocks at Foremark Reservoir.



To be in with a chance of seeing this bird keep a look out for them feeding in the hedgerows on the berries of Sloes, Hawthorne and any other berry or fruit that might still be on the trees, they favour Rowan Berries and Cotoneaster berries but they will feed on most berries when they are in short supply as they are this year. They favour open woodland spaces but they could turn up anywhere, they can sometimes be seen in Town and City Centres around car parks if there are berries to be found and they can sometimes be approached quite closely before they take flight. So keep your camera handy and a sharp lookout and you may see them while out for a walk.












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