Waxwings in Audlem

In late November, we reported that an interesting and relatively rare bird, the Waxwing, had been spotted in parts of south Cheshire. We suggested local residents kept an eye out as they can be a spectacular sight.

Yesterday afternoon, we received this Chatbox comment from Judy*, who lives in the village She said: "We have counted 29 Waxwings in our neighbour's tree this afternoon so our visitors are definitely here this winter.

"As a keen bird watcher I was really delighted as I have never seen one up close before."

In most years, only a hundred or so Waxwings arrive in Britain in a typical winter. Occasionally, thought to be when berries are in short supply in Scandinavia and parts of northern Continental Europe, they arrive in much greater numbers – these are so-called 'eruption years.'

2012 appears to be one of those years.

* (Not Judy from Williams' newsagents, who we are told has had numerous people asking her this morning about Waxwings.)

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