Waxwings

Waxwings ~ Bombycilla garrulus

There has been a special treat for local nature lovers again this winter. This flock of waxwings has been seen flying around the Newington Green area for several weeks, having migrated to the UK for the winter months and they were photographed in Lavell St. N16. Waxwings are on the Green List for Conservation, which suggests their numbers are still at a good level.

European Waxwings are plump little birds, similar in size to starlings but they are more colourful, with a yellow tip to the tail, a black eye stripe and their bodies are a reddish brown colour. As can be seen from this photo, they also have a large and very visible crest on their heads.

Waxwings migrate when food is scarce in their usual breeding grounds, in the forests of Northern Europe. Waxwings mainly feed on berries, particularly rowan and hawthorn berries, so they have been feasting on our lovely street trees (as did the flocks of redwings and fieldfares in 2010). Waxwings also enjoy rose hips and cotoneaster berries, so if you have planted any of these in your garden, you might look out for hungry waxwings - and you can feel pleased that you are helping to support this lovely little bird through the cold winter months!

Photo: Julia Liesching

February 2011