More tan 350 waxwings have been spotted feasting on hawthorn berries at Hassop Station, near Bakewell, in the Peak District – and birdwatchers from across the UK have descended on the beauty spot to catch a glimpse of the exotic birds.
According to the RSPB, they’re a plump bird with a prominent crest and are slightly smaller than a Starling. They are a reddish-brown with a black throat and a black mask around the eyes. They also have yellow and white in the wings and a yellow tipped tail.
They visit in the winter – and some years see larger numbers of visiting Waxwings when the population in their breeding grounds gets to big for the food available. They are native to Scandinavia, but apparently this year is a record year for waxwings in the county.
The BBC reported that Steve Thorpe, secretary of the Derbyshire Ornithological Society, said: We’ve counted up to 359 in this particular flock in Hassop,”
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He continued: “The Derbyshire record is 400 which was recorded in December 1970, so we are watching the number closely to see if we can beat the record this year,” he said.
These snaps where taken by Rod Kirkpatrick of Midland News & Views, who posted the snaps to Facebook writing: “A flock of 350 waxwings gather to feast on hawthorn berries at Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail near Bakewell, in the Derbyshire Peak District.
A flock of 350 waxwings gather to feast on hawthorn berries at Hassop Station on the Monsal Trail near Bakewell, in the Derbyshire Peak District.
Significant numbers of the birds, visitors from Scandinavia and Russia are being reported this winter across the country.
The birds visit to feed when food is in short supply on the continent.
Steve Thorpe, Secretary of the Derbyshire Ornithological Society said: “The Derbyshire record is 400 which was recorded in December 1970 so we are watching
“Significant numbers of the birds – visitors from Scandinavia and Russia – are being reported this winter across the country. The birds visit to feed when food is in short supply on the continent.”
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Feature Image Credit: RKP Photography
