Not Hartlebury Common related but it is still of local interest. This afternoon I discovered a flock of 23 Waxwings at Hartlebury Trading Estate (near the rear entrance/exit of the estate - The Railway station side). They were perching in the top of a poplar before dropping down to feed on a Rowan occasionally.
The trading estate is a location I check most winter's, especially during so called Waxwing invasion years when harsh weather and a lack of food means that good numbers come across to the UK from mainland Europe in search of berries and fruit.
Sadly the light today was dull and a bit misty so my photos aren't the greatest but it was still nice to spend some time watching these birds. It really does warm the heart when you hear their unmistakable high pitched trilling call again after a number of winters absence.
Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus)
As well as the Waxwings there were also a small number of Redwings and Blackbirds feeding on the berries and thankfully there was no sign of the usually present (and somewhat territorial) Mistle Thrush.
Redwing (Turdus iliacus)
Superb birds and they are definitely worth the wait between invasion years.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more Dean. They are always a pleasure to see
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