waxwing?

[Shrike]

Hi to everybody i recently found this site and this is my first post.
I remember a few years back around september/october at fairbairn ings in yorkshire i sighted a flock of starling sized birds on a telegraph wire , with the brief view i got before they took flight i remember plain light brown creamy looking breasts with no markings , and darker brown plain back/shoulders. I was just wondering if anyone can offer me any alternative to these birds been waxwings ? .I never got a chance to notice any of the diagnostic waxwing features at the time and its always bugged me as ive never seen any waxwings since,Thanks Terry.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Hi to everybody i recently found this site and this is my first post.
I remember a few years back around september/october at fairbairn ings in yorkshire i sighted a flock of starling sized birds on a telegraph wire , with the brief view i got before they took flight i remember plain light brown creamy looking breasts with no markings , and darker brown plain back/shoulders. I was just wondering if anyone can offer me any alternative to these birds been waxwings ? .I never got a chance to notice any of the diagnostic waxwing features at the time and its always bugged me as ive never seen any waxwings since,Thanks Terry.

Sorry maybe should add they wasnt swallows as they looked in shape similar to song thrush

[htcdude]

Sept/Oct is early for Waxwing, but not impossibly early It may well be Waxwings you saw as they are easily mistaken for Starlings. Not many others that will sit on wires that are a similar size and colour. Possibilities though could be Redpoll which are slightly smaller, or maybe Corn Bunting or Meadow Pipit, something like that.

Nige

[anniekat]

or juvenile starlings maybe?

[Dogghound]

Very hard to say, no reason why not although large flocks in September would be unusual getting more common towards late October into the winter. I know you said you didnt get a very good look but have you considered redwing? Waxwings do look a lot like starlings however they have a slightly more rounded bull headed look when perched and a more fluttery flight compared to a starling with more dips. Unfortunately it has been that long since you have seen them it would be hard to remember exact details.

[Shrike]

ok thanks all , yeah i'd say waxwings then though i wont tick em , the totally unmarked breast very clear and creamy looking without any markings seems to rule out the other birds which would tend to group on a wire and with it been the east coastish then an early flock of waxwings coming in from holland seems the most likely then.thanks for the advice all
Terry

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Shrike

ok thanks all , yeah i'd say waxwings then though i wont tick em , the totally unmarked breast very clear and creamy looking without any markings seems to rule out the other birds which would tend to group on a wire and with it been the east coastish then an early flock of waxwings coming in from holland seems the most likely then.thanks for the advice all
Terry

They would be coming from northern scandinavia/russia at this time of year.

[Shrike]

ok thanks dogghound and also yes from the angle i was at looking up to the wire i suppose i could have missed the upper flecking on the breast of redwing so it will always remain inconclusive and thanks everyone who replied
Terry