"Alex Stephens Jr" wrote in message
...

"J.Poyner" wrote in message
...
Just for interest.
So far this autumn there have been huge and unusual movements of
woodland
species out of Northern Russia towards western Europe. "Northern" races
of
Bullfinch have been very noticeable including races of birds from well
east
which do not normally move this far west in winter.
Waxwings too have been flooding into the UK in recent days (160 in Lewis
yesterday). High numbers of Jays were seen to move through the
Netherlands
in past weeks also.
Though seasonal hard weather movements are normal, this year has been
quite
remarkable and suggests that some factor (temperature, early snows, food
supply) has forced these birds to move west in large numbers.
Biological indicators are often as good as any computer models or
statistics, often reflecting very accurate or distinct trends in
temperature
and weather.
Without doubt, something very different is happening this year in this
region.

J Poyner.


The waxwing is an amazing bird.
Had flocks of them visit my garden in early 2001 and January 1987. They
make
short work of cottoneaster berry's, are totally oblivious to humans and
have
an amazing plumage. Only ever seen here when there's been very deep snow
lying.
I wouldn't complain if they visited again over the coming few months.
Waxwings definetly go hand in hand with harsh snows in my opinion, but
aren't necisarily forebearers... Which begs the question, why have they
came
to the UK already?
Most unusual.

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Alex Stephens Jr
Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, Scotland
N55º47'14", W3º55'15". 360ft/117m amsl
http://www.alex114.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
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Although they eat berries here in winter their natural diet is insects. Food
shortage would force them to move, so either the natural supply of insects
died off sooner this year or lack of berries.

J Poyner


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