Finally waxwings !

Burnley - 03.12.2023

It's been some five years since I last photographed Waxwings a winter visitor to the UK, so when reports of a big influx of these colourful birds had arrived in the UK it was a case of waiting for them to push further west in to the region.

Waxwing breed in Scandinavia and Russia moving west to avoid the harsh winter, arriving first in the north and east of the UK they soon disperse through out the country taking advantaged and feeding on the many berry landed trees especially found around the carparks of "out of town" shopping centres.

The first birds to the region was a brief visit only staying a couple of hours before moving on, unfortunately at the time I’m travelling back up on the M6 and a lost opportunity to get some images locally.

Wind on a few weeks and I’m again travelling up the M6 and it’s a great day with plenty of sunshine and blue sky’s, you guessed it Waxwings have again appeared again locally but little chance of making it that day so a trip is on the cards for tomorrow.

Now Sunday it’s a change of plan as the Waxwings at the original location are proving difficult to locate but I have another option with twenty birds located in the Burnley area. It’s a grey old day with even fog as I travel over across the moors, disappointing really as yesterday was a great day.

Arriving at the carpark flanked on one side with berry laden trees, the Waxwings have been and gone so no panic getting the gear out, then someone mentioned they were re-located in the next street so quick change of location and hey-presto....Waxwings !

Sat at the top of a tall trees the Waxings are as usual nervous only flying down to feed on red berries when they feel secure. The shooting location's not the best always cluttered with branches spoiling the shot, not the classic shot of a bunches of berries on the branch end with a blue sky background, that’s the way it goes sometimes, still here’s a few images on the day.

Waxwing

What's This App ?

Greyhound Retail Park, Chester - 13.12.18

I'm at West Kirby trying to get better images of the Great Northern Diver...no joy there, its around 1.0 pm and the Whats App Bird Alert Service pings, Waxwings are currently feeding on Rowan berries outside John Lewis on a retail park in Chester only thirty minuets away...I'm on my way.

As I drive into the retail park straight away I can see around five Waxwings sat in the usual top of tree location. Parking up under the tree, no leg work required ! the Waxwings fly to a nearby Rowan tree, it's the only Rowan tree in the local area and surprised they still persist in return for what now seems like very few berries remaining, the tree is sure to be stripped shortly with the birds moving on.

Even thou it's still around 2.0 pm the sun is starting to disappear arcing around the side of a building throwing the tree into shade, I recon I may have about fifteen minuets remaining to get some shots before the loss of light, and in the meantime the Waxwings remain sat in the tree.

The light is now passed its optimum best and I decide to hit the motorway for home happy at least I have a couple of ok images, the first of the season for me.

Waxwing

Waxwings Everywhere !

Waxwings are now being reported in a number locations in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and North Wales areas, so camera at the ready it was off to Bolton to photograph again these great birds. Being fairly familiar with Bolton I had a good idea where the birds were located so I set off in confident mood

Arriving at the location I quickly spotted the birds sat in a tall tree which wasn't going to give great photo opportunities, the birds were flying to a nearby Rowan tree located in the rear courtyard of nearby social housing which the very kind residents let me use to photograph the birds, thank you all

Below is a selection of the bird images taken when the birds visited the outer branches of the Rowan thereby eliminating image clutter and utilising the blue sky as backdrop

Thanks for looking..

The background colour of the image above is a corrugated factor roof which contrasts well with the female blackbird

Waxwings Have Arrived, Blackburn

Had the opportunity to photograph around 40 Waxwings located in Blackburn quite near to home so not an opportunity to miss. The report was Waxwings were feeds on Rowen berries in the location of the Go Outdoor clothing outlet, the Griffin Pub and a residential housing estate behind the Griffin Pub. 

On arrival, rather than lugging all the gear around I had a quick check of the Go Outdoor carpark, no sign of Waxwings! Option two was to walk down the road to the Griffin Pub and check out that location, part way dow the road I picked up some Waxwings so it was back to the car to collect the gear. Setting up opposite the Griffin Pub focusing on a berry laden Rowan tree I and a number of other photographers waited, and waited, but apparently the birds were feeding on berries in a residential estate behind the Griffin, so it was pack up the gear and relocate

Now located in a small residential housing development with even more Rowen trees! resident are watching with interest what all these people are up to with long lens cameras. The Waxwings are in trees close by watching, waiting, then flying in to feeding for two to three minuets at a time. 

So with memory cards full, a successful day. Thanks for looking