Waxwings visit Aldersbrook

I'm not much of a twitcher, really - although I have been known to go over to Wanstead Park to see a Goosander, and Wanstead Flats to see a Wryneck. I even walked the length of the Flats once to see a Dunlin by Jubilee Pond. As I live overlooking Wanstead Flats, you can tell my level of enthusiasm.

Some of the 50 Waxwings in an Alder in Aldersbrook

However, I put myself out today when I got a 'phone call from Tim Harris saying that there was a flock of Waxwings in Westmorland Close, Aldersbrook - right next to Aldersbrook Wood which I have been banging on about recently.They had first been spotted by Natalia Benajeh, who lives nearby and who had let Tim and Epping Forest Keeper Brian Gotts know.

After equipping myself for the great outdoors (i.e. putting my boots, coat and hat on) it was 15 minutes before I arrived to find Tim looking at some 30-40 birds in a tall tree in the back garden of one of the houses directly opposite Westmorland Close. The point is - remarkable though it may seem to some - I have never seen a Waxwing before, so this expedition of about a quarter mile was valid. The light was a bit poor as it was overcast with rain threatening, but from below the tree the exotic colouring was easily discernible. Waxwings obviously like television

Tim explained that this flock had a tendency to feast on a handy Cotoneaster nearby, so when they flew off we awaited their arrival there. They duly arrived, like a flock of starlings, made a swift grab at the berries and were gone! This was all a bit too quick for my reflexes and my camera focus, which meant I had to hang around in increasing rain for another opportunity. Brian Gotts had obviously got the message, for he turned up with his super-camera-plus-lens-and-monopod, and soon had what appeared very acceptable photographs. I was required to keep trying.

Notwithstanding the rain - I did get some photographs!

Meanwhile, I'd let Jennifer Charter - who lives around the corner from the Waxwings - know, and along she came with her noisesome whippet, Tim. They'd never seen Waxwings before, and it is possible that the Waxwings had never seen a Tim before.

Anyway,  as the rain rained harder the birds continued to do feeding forays onto the Cotoneaster, which by now was looking somewhat bare. I was feeling somewhat wet, so after a final count of the flock - now numbering 50 - I went home.

Paul Ferris, 26th February 2011