Tuesday, January 03, 2017

A Good Day

Alerted by Caroline at Ragged Robin's Nature Notes blog that Waxwings had been seen to the north of the city we'd hoped to go and find them at Talke on Friday but we woke up to thick fog and icy paths and it wouldn't have been wise to go out on the roads.  I'd been following the link I'd been given to the staffs birders twitter page, even though I'm not on twitter I was able to read the postings.  On Sunday I read that there were Waxwings in Biddulph so the next morning we decided to go up to Biddulph Grange for a walk and hope that they  were still there.

I knew where the Biddulph Arms public house was and we scanned the road as we went towards Bidduph Grange but didn't see anything so we went into the gardens, had a good walk around and a scone and coffee in the cafe.  We came out and spotted Redwings on the berries just opposite the cafe. It was lovely to see them and I thought I would have to be content with seeing and photographing them.

We left the garden to drive back towards the town and as we drove up the road saw a small group of people with cameras near some Rowan trees with orange berries.  We pulled up and went to join the little group and three waxwings flew in and onto the trees.  What joy!

I'm afraid my little camera wasn't as powerful as some of the huge ones on tripods the other photographers had but I did manage a few photos and Paul took some too.  A couple of those above are his and the other two mine.   I was thrilled they were still feeding there as I've never seen them in the wild before.  
Such gorgeous birds.
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30 comments:

  1. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"3 January 2017 at 13:43

    They are fantastic-looking birds, aren't they? Glad you got to see them.

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:21

      They are wonderful, so pleased I saw them:)

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  2. Mac n' Janet3 January 2017 at 15:19

    What a beautiful little bird, great you got to photograph it.

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:21

      Me too, hard to believe I'd never seen one before in all the years Ive been around:)

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  3. Jan3 January 2017 at 15:47

    Beautiful - you were really lucky to catch them with that lovely blue sky. Jx

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:22

      Yes, it was good that it was a fine day and the cold made the birds hungry for the berries:)

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  4. riitta k3 January 2017 at 16:46

    Beautiful bird collages, they bring spring to my mind, so blue skies. Wishing you great 2017!

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:23

      You too riitta, yes the blue skies are very spring like:)

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  5. Coastal Ripples3 January 2017 at 17:27

    What a wonderful capture Rosie. Bet they loved those berries. B x

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:24

      Their enthusiasm for the berries was wonderful to watch especially the red wings on the red berries:)

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  6. The History Anorak3 January 2017 at 17:30

    I love waxwings. Only ever seen them in Sweden (during a once in a lifetime trip to the Ice Hotel) Well done finding them.

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:24

      It must have been wonderful to see them in their natural habitat. I was so pleased to see them:)

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  7. Unknown3 January 2017 at 17:44

    Wow! Serious envy here, Waxwings are so beautiful but I have never seen one except for photos of course. xx

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:25

      It has taken me all this time to see them and I'm so pleased I have, hope you see them one day:)

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  8. Ragged Robin3 January 2017 at 17:44

    Oh Rosie - I am so chuffed you have managed to see some - the first sighting of these gorgeous birds is always such a special moment. I've been checking out a few roads with lots of berries round by us and also a drive out to Hams Hall Distribution Park where 3 had been spotted but no luck so far!!! Lovely to see the Redwings too.

    Thanks so much for the mention and thrilled to bits that you tracked some down. Worth keeping an eye on that twitter feed :)

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:27

      Thanks, and thank you so much for telling me they were round and about the city. It was wonderful to see them at last! Hope you get to see some your way. The Redwings are lovely too aren't they?:)

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  9. Crimson Kettle3 January 2017 at 21:46

    A fabulous spot, what a treat. You got some brilliant shots. 🙂

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:28

      Thanks, I bet the regular bird watches and photographers got some wonderful shots with their big cameras but I'm quite happy with having seen them and the photos we got:)

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  10. Louise3 January 2017 at 21:51

    How wonderful! I've never seen a waxwing but I really want to!

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:29

      I think they are still around the north of the city, Louise. I suppose it is hard to find the time when you are busy working, I'm so pleased I saw them:)

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  11. Lorrie4 January 2017 at 00:42

    Beautiful birds, how great that you were able to see them, and capture them with your camera.

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:30

      Thanks, Lorrie, yes it was great to see them, I'm glad we made the effort to go and seek them out:)

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  12. Wendy4 January 2017 at 11:30

    That's wonderful and you did get some great photos of them, too. I haven't seen any Waxwings recently and hope there'll be some near me this winter.

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:31

      I hope you get to see some Wendy, I was so pleased they were still around this area:)

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  13. Simone4 January 2017 at 20:43

    I am glad that you got to see the Redwings and the Waxwings Rosie! It must have been thrilling for you! I don't think I have ever seen either birds. The photos of the birds and the colourful berries are quite striking. x

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    1. Rosie5 January 2017 at 13:32

      The berries certainly do add interest and colout to the photos don't they? I was thrilled to have seen both lots of birds:)

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  14. Jean6 January 2017 at 15:26

    I had to pop over to this post and see the waxwings. I saw some for the first time ever in our area just a few weeks ago. They are such beautiful birds. Your photos are great!

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    1. Rosie6 January 2017 at 19:13

      Thank you, they are such delightful birds aren't they?:)

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  15. Gracie Saylor6 January 2017 at 19:29

    Thanks for adventuring and letting us see some of what you saw...beautiful!!

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    1. Rosie7 January 2017 at 09:43

      Thanks Gracie, glad you enjoyed the photos:)

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