Having seen the 50 - 60 fly-over Waxwing flock in Lincoln this morning (Sat),( see Andy Sims post " Waxwings 26/3 "), and having had my appetite whetted for a 'feeding frenzy' - not to be indulged in by me but by Waxwings - I headed this afternoon for the nearest (semi) reliable Waxwing stakeout : Kenilworth Road, Grantham.
I arrived at 2.30pm and parked, carefully, in the Residents' Car Park opposite Hebden Walk, on a dull, chilly and windy afternoon. At c 2.50, 39 (I counted them 3 times to try and make 40 ! )Waxwings flew into their favoured tree by Hebden Walk.....just as ( according to Murphy's Law ) no fewer than 4 large dogs were being slowly walked below their perching tree. To their credit, the Waxwings stayed put on the branches swaying in the wind. For whatever reason, however, they took off after 5 or 6 minutes without attempting to feed and disappeared over the Estate towards Harrowby.
I stayed around until 4.00pm and although a large Starling flock and a few smaller groups plus a flock of feral Pigeons flew over, the Waxwings presumably fed elsewhere in the local area. So, although I saw the 39 strong perched flock for some 5 minutes, I never did see a 'feeding frenzy' this afternoon.
However, after yesterday's disappointment in Louth, I have more than made up for it today totalling some 100 Waxwings in all, what with the 50 -60 fly-over flock in Lincoln this morning and then the c 40 Waxwings in Grantham this afternoon. A cynic might say, " If you spend most of your free time chasing after bleedin' Waxwings, then you ruddy well should see a few now and then." Anyway, today's sightings certainly make up for the 40 (documented) disappointing Waxwing Trip 'Dips' I've had (so far) this winter.....but with 34 'Successes'....including today
....= 74 specifically targeted Waxwing Trips in all.
Regards,
Freddy
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