They've landed in East Malling, but not this one - this was taken this afternoon off patch in Tovil.
Winter thrush numbers have been building up very quickly on the research station over the last week, with a big influx of
Redwings in the last few days in particular. It was inevitable that a
Waxwing or two would turn up, and as predicted eight turned up yesterday (Friday), perched up briefly in the tree right opposite my office window....unfortunately I wasn't there to see them! But thanks to the
Bald Birder for letting me know about it! Also are a few
Lesser Redpolls about this week, with one on the wires over the orchards on the Research Station mid-week, and 4+ more, seen with 5+
Siskin in Ditton Court Quarry on Wednesday. Waxwings - well I checked late today for them in East Malling but I couldn't locate any, I'll give the orchards a good scour next week, but in the meantime I was pleased to see 27 of these Scandinavian beauties in a more typical haunt this afternoon, between Tesco and Lidl car parks in Tovil...almost makes you want to ask for a
Sorbus hupehensis 'Pink Pagoda' tree for Christmas! I do wonder if they favour lighter-coloured berries, this isn't the first time I've seen them feeding on pink/white berries in preference to bountiful clusters of orange and red berries nearby.
Large numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing have arrived in the orchards on the East Malling Research Station - this snatched shot (through a windbreak) was of c.150 Fieldfares sitting on the wires. Imagine how many more are feeding on the ground/trees in the other 20 or so orchards in the area! No wonder pinning down those Waxwings has been so difficult!
Adam.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear that the Waxwings have arived in your area, that 27 was a good find, they certainly are popping up all over the place. There is no shortage of food for them at your work place