Waxwings Question.

[werry]

Is there any record of waxwings breeding in the UK? i believe we have the right conditions for them am i wrong?.Would Scotland suit them?.

[Wild-Woman]

I don't believe so. I think they are relatively late breeders, I suppose waiting until Scandinavia defrosts a bit before they can get cracking, so to speak.

[RobinP]

I'm a bit worried all these Waxwings won't be able to find their way back to Scandinavia in the Spring, do they manage it or do they starve when the berry crop runs out?

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by RobinP

I'm a bit worried all these Waxwings won't be able to find their way back to Scandinavia in the Spring, do they manage it or do they starve when the berry crop runs out?

They'll head back when the urge to breed gets to them. No chance of them starving as they'll just shift off to wherever the next bunch of berry bearing trees occur. What amazes me is how different groups of them manage to end up in the same place within a matter of a day or two of each other to form the impressive flocks that rae around.

Cheers,

Adam

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by RobinP

I'm a bit worried all these Waxwings won't be able to find their way back to Scandinavia in the Spring, do they manage it or do they starve when the berry crop runs out?

They feed on insects when the berries run out- I remember watching Waxwings flycatching in Finland a few years back.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Now you mention it, I have seen a few of them flycatching from the tops of trees recently.

Cheers

Adam

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by werry

Is there any record of waxwings breeding in the UK? i believe we have the right conditions for them am i wrong?.Would Scotland suit them?.

There are no breeding records yet, but they do sometimes linger into May (rarely even June), and the habitat in Scotland does appear to be suitable.

Originally Posted by aeshna5

They feed on insects when the berries run out- I remember watching Waxwings flycatching in Finland a few years back.

...and the type of insect that they will catch is perhaps surprising.
Not a great photo (too far away), taken in Finland in 2009:

[aeshna5]

Interesting photo with the dragonfly Roy- they can obviously take quite large insects like a Bee-eater.

[Habsish]

When are Waxwings suppose to leave UK?

I have seen 3 that have just started visiting my bird bath regularly

Regards

H

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Habsish

When are Waxwings suppose to leave UK?

I have seen 3 that have just started visiting my bird bath regularly

Regards

H

Most have gone, but as you've seen there are a few lingerers. I suspect they'll depart soon, but who knows?