British gardens enjoy a ‘Waxwing winter’

An explosion in Waxwing numbers visiting UK gardens has been noted in this year’s RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. Close to half-a-million people joined in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey in January counting more than eight million birds during the 38th RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, witnessing some exciting and unusual visitors. The event held over the last weekend in January revealed an explosion in the number of recorded sightings of Waxwings. Results showed that Waxwings were seen in around 11 times more gardens in 2017 compared to the last couple of years, with sightings as far west as Wales and Northern Ireland. Along with Waxwings, there was also a large jump in the number of visits from other migrant birds escaping sub-zero temperatures on the continent, such as Redwing, Fieldfare and Brambling. Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist, said: “In the lead up to the Birdwatch there was some speculation as to whether we could see a ‘Waxwing winter’ and the results prove that to be the case. Flocks of these striking looking birds arrived in the UK along the North Sea coast and will have moved across the country in search of food, favouring gardens where they can feast on berries.”