Why Waxwings are rare

[BucksMike]

Spent a lot of the day trying to explain to family why waxwings are so rare. I have been carefully explaining how they need a constant side wind from one direction to stop them just flying around in circles

[Hedgehoggy]

Brilliant!

[Ukwildlifeo]

hehe great pics. WHre abouts you bag these?

[Meta menardi]

I am fascinated, are there two races, a left winger and a right winger? If so, do the two races sometimes mate, and if they do, what is the result?

[shenk1]

My heron must be of the same race



Brill pics!

[BucksMike]

Ok a few answers needed I think

Neil, these were a few of the so called 200+ at Cheshunt I went to see. Not seen any until last Saturday when I read about the 5 at Waltham Cross and went to see them then on Friday I heard about the 200+ at side of A10 at Cheshunt. As I had to go out to Bucks I stopped at Cheshunt and took lots of pictures and managed a few of the "wingless" ones as well as a few more normal looking birds

Meta, Not sure about the different races, up here in northern hemisphere the winds obviously circle anti clockwise so the waxwings have only a left wing. Not done a lot of Southern hemisphere travelling and didnt see any waxwings in Namibia this year but the winds there obviously are clockwise (well thats what I would tell the wife and kids) so I assume they are all right winged birds. Its called evolution. Simples!

As seen by the Heron another Northern Hemisphere bird

[PMG]

You're all delightfully mad

[Acipiter]

Just had a look at your web site Pauline, It is brilliant, I love your raptor pics too, very well done.

[PMG]

Click on to read comment on pic ............

and thankies Acipiter - I can see how the raptors might appeal

[actionfinch]

you sure they weren't waving at you,

great pics...