Winging Waxwings. . . .

To date, we have ringed 11 Waxwings during January 2009 in Suffolk. 7 of these were ringed in Rendlesham, the others later at Kesgrave (26th Jan). These birds were all 1st year birds. There are currently 17 birds remaining (biggest count 47) at Rendlesham and now over 50 birds at Kesgrave. The 2 colour ringed birds are still in Rendlesham amongst the flock of 17. In Kesgrave, we spotted one of our own ringed birds from Rendlesham amongst the sizable and growing flock there. For other Waxwing colour ringed sightings or observations or for more Waxwing project info please email: raymond@waxwing.fsnet.co.uk. amazingly one of these Rendlesham birds was colour ringed in Aberdeen during Winter 2008 and was spotted in Stockport, Cheshire, before arriving and spending the last month or so in Rendlesham, Suffolk.

Last of the Fieldfare? . . . .

We were up before dawn and back to our Suffolk Orchard site today for a new year session trying to catch the many Fieldfare which had been seen feasting on rotten apples before Xmas (see first visit below . . ). Unfortunately our excitement and hopes were dashed upon arrival as the apples had all but completely gone and the flocks of Fieldfare were nowhere to be seen! We thought we were going to have a lot more time to catch these great Thrushes at this site this Winter but will now have to wait until next Winter and utilize the opportunity properly then - Xmas just got in the way this time! However, we did manage to catch 1 token Fieldfare, so all the effort was not wasted . . . . .