A dreary day but a joyous first for our garden - the waxwing. It arrived last week and from its perch in a willow tree ate rosehips and drank greedily from the pond. Nor was it alone - but part of an extremely sociable group of ten. Looking at it gobbling berries, you might think it would struggle to get off the ground but every October it flies hundreds of miles from the breeding grounds in the far east of Europe to its winter feeding grounds in the far west. These birds may have been driven far west to Shropshire due to lack of food further east.
Once you see a waxwing, they’re unmistakable. Their body is pinkish-brown and rather fat, with a large crest and dashes of red just above the bill. This is contrasted by the jet black of the bill, eyes and the surrounding feathers, and by the wings’ white, black and yellow colouration and the red waxy deposit, which is how the bird gets its name. So if you are lucky enough to see a flock of waxwings feel privileged that they have come a thousand miles to say hello and let them strip down your berry filled bushes. And best of all, if you do see some, chances are that they’ll return to the same spot once again next year – they’ve got a great memory for the best eateries in town.
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