Is it sad that?

[~T~]

Originally Posted by RoyW

I would suggest that this opening sentence should read "I'm already eyeing up places where I would hope to see Waxwings ths year" - it's probably best not to get your hopes up yet!
Last winter saw a fairly exceptional movement of Waxwings, with unusually large numbers reaching the UK (more than I have ever known anyway). These 'irruptions' do not occur every year though, and there do not seem to be any obvious indications that a large irruption will take place again this winter - last year the arrival in the UK was preceeded by large numbers being seen in Scandinavia (I've just checked a Swedish website, and things look fairly normal with just a few largish flocks - although it is obviously still "early days" so things might change).

There's no harm in checking out where the best crops of berries are locally (I tend to do it subconciously every autumn), but to avoid disapointment, look at them as sites that may attract flocks of Redwings and other thrushes - perhaps with a few Waxwings if you are very lucky.

Yeah you're right mate I've probably jinxed myself now. It's easy to forget that last winter was a fluke. It probably comes down to me not knowing they even existed to seeing them quite often. Apparently we are in for another harsh winter but I suppose that means nothing if Scandinavia suits them better this year.

[rossy]

as already posted, it was a very good year for waxwings, i actually missed them in my area, got there a day to late, but the good thing about going out bird watching, you never know what you might come across, good luck . rossy.

[actionfinch]

I have a few plots around town , that i hope to see them again... mad they turned up a few yards away from the house , last year , and i never see em.Just heard about them...
So i hope to brave the snow and ice , cold , wind, to search out again , hopefully this year...

dont you just love , birding

[Billabong Karen]

I think the waxwings tend to visit the UK more when there are very cold winters in Scandinavia, so they search out places where there is still food available.

[Billabong Karen]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

I was delighted yesterday when a small group of Bullfinches were feeding on the yellow-berried Rowan. They're one of my favourite birds, but don't visit the garden much, this was only the 2nd visit to the garden this year.

Regards, Audrey.

I had a lovely family of bullfinches on my firethorn hedge at the weekend, very colourful combination! Must try to get a decent photo...

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Billabong Karen

I think the waxwings tend to visit the UK more when there are very cold winters in Scandinavia, so they search out places where there is still food available.

Waxwings are not really a species that is affected by cold winters, it is specifically food availability that is the deciding factor in whether they reach us in any numbers. Unlike ground feedinb species, which have difficulty finding food if there is snow and freezing conditions, birds that feed on berries do not find their food source restricted by similar conditions.
If Scandinavia experienced similar condition to us during the spring, which has led to a very good autumn crop of berries, they will have little need to travel.

Don't be put off from checking oug potential sites though, small numbers reach us every year, so you might still find some.

[earthdragon64]

We've not got as good a crop of berries up here as there has been in previous years. As an example, there's a line of Rowan trees outside my garden which normally have loads of berries, but this year have a lot less, and most of them have been eaten by Starlings in the last few days.

Whilst out and about, I've noticed that most Rowans have less berries than normal. The only ones I've seen with a lot of berries are the two in my garden.

Regards, Audrey.