Up to the tarn for a walk hoping it wouldn't be too busy but our breakfast stop put paid to that so there were only a lot of noisy water birds about and nothing in the trees/bushes around apart from a couple of distant Goldfinch. Oh and the ever present House Sparrows by the boats of course.
The usual birds were on the water, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Mute Swan,Tufted Duck and a lot of Black Headed Gulls. I managed to pick out three Common Gulls amongst them too. The model boat club was running off the jetty and they were selling duck food so we picked up a bag of that so my daughter could feed them before we left.
A visit to my parents and I checked twitter whilst there and noticed a tweet about Waxwings in Crossgates. A detour on the way home, I think so!
It was worth doing we saw the Waxwings at the top of a tree near the roundabout and managed to find somewhere to park to get a few distant shots in the gloom, they stayed at the top of the tree for a while and we counted around 70 before they flew off. A very happy end to the day!
So pleased you managed to see a flock of Waxwings Pam - I bet it was well worth the wait :) Still seen none here - more reports seem to be appearing West Midlands/Warks so still hoping and checking local berry trees :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely was! I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for you!!
DeleteThat's great! I've never yet see a waxwing!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be the year for them so you never know!
DeleteWaxwings are always great to see, whatever the weather, and a flock of 70 must have been an impressive sight and sound. Enjoyed seeing all the waterbirds too, they are overlooked far too often by some birders :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are, i've only ever seen a small group before so this was fantastic! Yes they can be can't they, I spent a lot of time at the Dam growing up watching the waterbirds :)
DeleteNot been round the Dam this year, cold place for birding.. family of swans have been photographed at the pond on Nunroyd.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see some waxwings and now seen one on your local patch.
Not been out much as we have been decorating, got my own craft/nature room. Will take some photos. On Saturday I'm doing a birding course at Denso so will be back out looking at nature.
Amanda xx
It is, that wind can be bitter!! It's been a great Waxwing year, i'm so pleased there's been so many around.
ReplyDeleteOh we've put off our decorating till the summer with my back and all but it's worth doing especially if you've got your own room, that sounds lovely, i'm looking forward to seeing some photos :) Enjoy the course at Denso xx