Grantham Waxwings

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:20 pm

Had a message from a mate to say there were 12 Waxwings in the Kenilworth Road area of town, at the end of Hedbden Walk.

I went to see them and they were roosting in a tall tree that has to smaller berry laden shrubs either side it.

They do seem to be a little mobile but berry stock could indicate a few days worth of food for them if they are not disturbed. :wink:

Bob Wacey · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 11:15 am

Sunday 09.59am - Still there now!

Very few berries left though!

Can see them from my house, but not in my garden! But there is always a chance as Hawthorn tree has the odd berry left!

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:46 pm

Went out today at 8am and again at 11am but did not see the Waxwings.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:28 pm

I arrived at the stakeout by Nos 1-3-5 Hebden Walk off Kenilworth Road, and c 50m in from Harrowby Lane, at 11.10 this morning (Sun). I parked on the road with excellent views of the 2 target Cotoneaster berry trees. I had to wait until 11.50 when 12 Waxwings flew in. They perched in a tall tree nearby and then flew down into the Cotoneaster furthest from the road to feed. Unfortunately, a cat started to climb their perching tree at c 12.00 and they all flew off.
Some Grantham birders there alerted me to another berry-laden Cotoneaster opposite No. 88 Kenilworth Road - nothing to report there today, but it could be a Waxwing target tree in due course.

Regards,

Freddy
PS. I understand from "Birdguides" that the 12 Waxwings had again returned at c 12.30 today.

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Mon Mar 14, 2011 6:35 pm

Sadly no Waxwings at this location today at 5.10pm, had a look around the estate but saw nothing.

Bob Wacey · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 5:01 pm

22 there at 15.50 today as I drove by, but flew off south at 15.54 just as I returned with camera.

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:48 pm

Bob,

Glad the Waxwings are still around and very pleasing that the group has grown

Sorry you missed them, better luck next time Bob :wink:

I had a look around at 2.05pm this afternoon (15th) but again saw nothing.

I am going that way out of town tomorrow so will take a look then too, this will be at around 9am, I will report anything I see.

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 3:48 pm

At 9.05am this morning 19 Waxwings in same location.

Not there at 2.25pm but Freddy Johnson was

, great to meet you Freddy, maybe will bump into you again.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:46 pm

Hi Steve,
After you left, I waited another 25 minutes before the 19 Waxwings flew in at c 3.00pm. They fed in the Cotoneaster tree nearest the road but took off after 5 minutes. I was about to leave when they returned at 3.10 (19 again) and they stayed until 3.35. One adventurous individual flew across the road and fed alone on the 3rd (mini) Cotoneaster on the grassy area....the only time I've seen that. They all took off at 3.35 and flew towards the School.

Pleased to meet up with you, Steve. Congratulations on another photo of the Kenilworth Road Waxwing flock which you've posted today.

Regards,

Freddy

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:35 am

At 6.45am this morning 19 Waxwings were still in the usual tall tree at the end of Hebden Walk off Kenilworth Road.

They were there for around 15 minutes before moving off into the estate following Kenilworth Road, I think they dropped into a garden as a brief search could not find them on any roads in this area.

Bob Wacey · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:25 am

Back at 08.50 again, managed a few (poor) photos, left at 09.05 to Tree in School grounds.

At first they where in tree in garden of 2 Hebden Walk, which was where I first saw them Sunday 6th.

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:16 pm

Got back into town at 3.30pm today and the group, slightly reduced in number (around 16) were in a tree next to Belmont School on Harrowby Lane, there were droping down onto 2 Cotoneaster shrubs right next to the zebra crossing outside the school.

One of the birds I photographed (head shot of this bird placed in rare bird album) had 5 rings on it, 3 one 1 leg - 2 red & 1 blue - and 2 on the other - 1 white & 1 silver numbered - I have forwarded an image of this bird to Steve Lyon in Grantham to find out its ringing origins, will let you know if I hear anything.

Freddy Johnson · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:55 pm

Steve,
I hope you didn't have the experience I had on Wednesday when viewing Waxwings through binoculars as the schoolchildren were coming out of school along Kenilworth Road after 3.00pm. There was I , parked along Kenilworth Road, admiring the flock of 19 Waxwings, when a 'character' appeared at my car window requesting a conversation. " To put it bluntly, " he said, " are you looking at the schoolchildren? - we do have paedophiles around here." At that very moment, I felt like pulling his leg and saying, " Oh! I bet you're one of us, aren't you? Hop in the car ,mate, and you can share my binoculars!"

However, discretion ruled the day (otherwise, I would have had 4 Squad Cars, 8 PCs, a SWAT Team and 2 Fire Engines surrounding me within 5 minutes), so I politely explained all about Waxwings, their rarity and pointed to the berry tree. He seemed satisfied and sloped off.

So, mind how you go, Steve. :roll:

Regards,

Freddy

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Fri Mar 18, 2011 7:10 pm

Blimey Freddy mate!

I went to the crossing with camera in hand and the first thing I did was to tell the fella managing the kids crossing the road what I was doing, I informed him about the birds and pointed them out and all was well, thankfully!!

You do have to be careful though don't you?

Steve Nesbitt · **Posted:** Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:52 pm

Had a text from Dave R in Grantham saying the Waxwing numbers had grown and were in the same area.

Went down and from my images I counted 71, there could be 1 or 2 more I am not 100% sure, certainly over 70 though.

Is this most Waxwings seen in 1 group across Lincolnshire this winter?

Just been going through the waxwing pics and post and found the group of 142 captured by Russell H on 29th Jan so that answers that question

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Grantham Waxwings

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