Waxwing 8 December 2016 Today, waxwing are chattering in the tree tops about Abbot Hall. It's a gloomy and rainy morning, so the vibrant colours of their plumage do not show. Perhaps you can make out the pallor of the tail-tip, which is yellow. And a hint of white below the eye. . The crest shows well, and the claws clutch a twig. I found only half a dozen birds this morning, and when the sky cleared to give a transient brilliance the birds had gone. I hope for a coincidence of waxwings and better light. Monday 5 December saw a bright and frosty morning. How unlike this day a year ago when storm Desmond struck with such ferocity!
Reconstruction work continues beside Abbot Hall where the water table rose after weeks of rain followed by storm Desmond, and the River Kent flooded. I came here after the storm and saw a team of workmen within a cordoned- off zone. I wonder if they have noticed the waxwings.
Waxwing studies. The birds on the left are safe in a high tree, the two on the right are feeding on rowan
On the theme of birds we welcome to urban spaces, spare a thought for the pied wagtails who roost in the mature birch trees in Kendal Market Place. Plans for Market Place 'enhancement' include removing the two mature trees and replacing them with a smaller, single tree. There's an item in the Westmorland Gazette showing the War Memorial with the lovely birch against a sunrise and a letter from a lady in Natland protesting about plans to cut down these trees. Let's speak up for trees in urban spaces. They enhance the quality of the air we breathe and air pollution is high on the government's agenda.
I wonder what David Attenborough would say. He writes of welcoming wildlife into urban spaces. We make such destructive inroads into their habitat. And many of us delight in a wildlife experience in town. That's the joy of this week's waxwing feasting on rowan berries beside ranks of parked cars. Let's have tree planting in urban spaces. More trees, not fewer trees. Unsightly and unhygenic droppings from the wagtail roost are given as a reason for taking out the trees. Walk town in the early morning before the street cleaners are out and the evidence of mess that hits you isn't bird droppings.
In spring and summer, swifts screeching over the house tops is always a delight.
I wonder what David Attenborough would say. He writes of welcoming wildlife into urban spaces. We make such destructive inroads into their habitat. And many of us delight in a wildlife experience in town. That's the joy of this week's waxwing feasting on rowan berries beside ranks of parked cars. Let's have tree planting in urban spaces. More trees, not fewer trees. Unsightly and unhygenic droppings from the wagtail roost are given as a reason for taking out the trees. Walk town in the early morning before the street cleaners are out and the evidence of mess that hits you isn't bird droppings.
In spring and summer, swifts screeching over the house tops is always a delight.
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