Waxwings

It was quite exciting to learn that Ronnie had seen approximately 22 Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus, for those who like their Latin names) on the plot during last week.

According to the RSPB website they don't breed here but are winter visitors to the UK between October and March. And amazingly they estimate that there are only approximately 100 wintering birds in the UK (that means about 1/5 of them popping bye to chirp "Hello" at our Allotment Gardens).

Smaller than a Starling (and rather more colourful) they eat berries, such as the rose and hawthorn berries we have a lot of around the site perimeters. They like to be in big groups too, which must make for a lovely sight in the rather bland winter treescapes. Lucky Ronnie!

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/w/waxwing/index.asp