Waxwings in Leeds?

GFM · #1 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 07:32 PM

I always seem to miss them, any been seen in Leeds recently.

Picidae · #2 (**permalink**) 22-11-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GFM

I always seem to miss them, any been seen in Leeds recently.

Given the amount of rowan still around in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, I doubt there will be any main influx into the UK this year. Odd ones have been sighted in Scotland, Norfolk etc but no signs of an 'irruption' as in previous years so don't hold your breath this side of Christmas for any flock movements! Even if we do get significant numbers arriving in Scotland in the New Year, it would be a while before they made it down to Leeds I'm afraid.

ChrisJB · #3 (**permalink**) 23-11-2009, 09:37 AM

I think I've only noticed two reports so far, in Northumberland and in Sheffield.

Regards, Chris

burntfacedjake · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 02:27 PM

As Picidae says they will only come over in large numbers if the berries in their home range are in short supply. Last year was great. I saw quite a few in Leeds. Good spots for them are the university car park, Park Square and Woodhouse Square, but some years you don't see any at all. They crop up in the main car park in Ilkley most winters, and Sheffield seems to do quite well for them.

DOXHOPE · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 03:24 PM

Im in Northumberland, and have been looking in the places where they usually visit here, seen NOWT

Yorkshirelass · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2011, 06:02 PM

We saw a Rowan tree full of Waxwings in Leeds on Friday 17 December, having just crossed the bridge across the inner ring road near the Clarandon Wing of LGI.

GFM · #7 (**permalink**) 29-01-2011, 05:00 PM

At long last; riding back on my mountain bike, 600metres from my house and there they were a tree full of Waxwings on Harewood Road in Collingham! Word must have got around as the serious birders were there as well!
They are fantastic birds, very un British and almost tropical like the Green Paraquets (spelling?) which I saw and heard in their 100s on the banks of the Thames at Hampton Court this summer.