Further to recent web posts, I decided to check out a few of the recently reported sites :
1. Kesteven Street, Lincoln (Alan Ball - 3 Dec)
I arrived at the end of Kesteven Street nearest to the Tentercroft Rowans at 9.15. I'd had 2 dips there recently so I wasn't too hopeful. There were no Waxwings in Kesteven Street itself. However, 15 minutes later, 7 Waxwings flew into the large Sycamore Tree at the end of Tentercroft Street and then perched in a tree opposite the 2 Rowans. Something spooked them for they then flew off without feeding and headed towards the Railway Station.
2.'Pride of Lincoln' (Grahame Hopwood - 3 Dec)
I arrived in the large (empty) carpark at 9.50 but there was nothing to report (NTR).
I also checked it out again at 10.55 en route from Witham St Hughs to Gainsborough but again NTR.
3. Witham St Hughs roundabout and estate (BirdGuides 3 Dec).....(10.15 - 10.45)....but NTR.
4. Knaith Hall area of the A156 Lincoln to Gainsborough road. (Ian Birch - 1 Dec)....11.30.
There were no Waxwings on the Hawthorns opposite Knaith Hall/St Mary's Church, (only Fieldfares, Redwings and Blackbirds) but some 300 yards further along towards Gainsborough, 2 Waxwings were feeding on Hawthorn berries along the roadside to the right.
5. Gainsborough (Foxby Hill area) to the rear of the Aldi Superstore. (BirdGuides). I soon located the 6 Rowans at the rear of the Supermarket carpark where up to 100 Waxwings had been reported recently but NTR. I then decided to go walkabout in the roads behind Aldi. Along Sandsfield Lane I located a breakaway group of 8 Waxwings perched in a tall tree outside the Benjamin Adland Primary School. They were flying down to 3 nearby Rowans but totally ignoring a profusely fruiting Cotoneaster. There's no doubt about it, Rowans will always be the preferred berry fruit if available. Only when the Rowan berries are finished will they then turn to Cotoneaster berries.
6. Back to Lincoln and to 'The Pride of Lincoln' carpark for a final check ( from 12.45). I immediately spotted Waxwings perching in a tall Birch to the left of the pub. Digiscoping them from his car was Lincoln birder Andy G. whom I had met up with recently digiscoping the Toll Bar Road Waxwings at Marston. I counted 21 Waxwings but Andy said a similar number had flown off about 10 minutes before my arrival.
So, no complaints. I would have been happy with success at 2 of the 5 stakeouts. To achieve 4 out of 5 was a very welcome surprise.
Freddy