A rare bird that is normally to be found nesting in the remote parts of northern Europe has been spotted on Arran this week.
Waxwings were seen in the southend of the island last Wednesday, the first time they have been here since January 2007.
Jim Cassels, from Blackwaterfoot who contributes the Banner’s bird notes column said: ‘On Wednesday 12 November at least two waxwings were with a mixed group of fieldfares and redwings in Kilmory. With similar reports coming from Ayrshire, it would be worth checking flocks of wintering thrushes for these stunning looking birds.’
The birds are often found in Siberia where they rarely see humans. Food shortages in their usual Scandinavian wintering grounds occasionally drive the birds across the sea to Britain.
‘Even non-birdwatchers get excited about these distinctive, colourful and famously approachable birds, said Jim. ‘They usually offer ample opportunity to appreciate their sandy plumage with a full crest, black bib, yellow tips to the tail feathers and white markings in the wings. Even the little red waxy tips to the secondary wing feathers can often be seen very well.’
Jim explained that in winter the birds feed in tight flocks that take part in ‘feeding frenzies’.
The whole flock might spend a great deal of time at the top of a tall tree, calling loudly then they will descend en masse into a bush full of berries, feed in a frenzy for a few minutes then return to the treetop.
Jim said: ‘This was what was happening last Thursday as twenty-three Waxwings fed on a yellow berried rowan on the south of the central car park in Whiting Bay. Even on wet morning this was a special sight.’
Waxwings get their name from the tips of their wing feathers, which look as though they have been dipped in bright red sealing wax.
They have a call like a tinkling bell and superficially they look a bit like starlings in shape, flight and action, but are much lighter coloured and when startled raise an amazing crest.
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