Waxwings spotted early in season searching for berries
A waxwing seen by Bob Jackson in Burnham Market. Picture: Bob Jackson - Credit: Archant
A charismatic bird that can get drunk on fermenting berries has made an early appearance on our shores.
A waxwing seen by Bob Jackson in Burnham Market. Picture: Bob Jackson - Credit: Archant
Retiree Bob Jackson spotted a group of waxwings in Burnham Market at the end of October, the start of the season these winter visitors can be seen in the UK.
The plump birds have a reddish crest, back throat and yellow-tipped tail. They make an annual migration to the east of Britain from Scandinavia and Arctic Russia, where they breed.
Mr Jackson, 64, a long-time birder, said: "They come over in search of berries, and if they do eat berries that have started to ferment they get a bit tipsy.
"They're very striking birds and it's good to see them. You don't get to see them every year, it depends how lucky you are."
A waxwing seen by Bob Jackson in Burnham Market. Picture: Bob Jackson - Credit: Archant
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Waxwings can eat up to 1,000 berries a day, and have a preference for rowan, hawthorn, cotoneaster and rosehip berries.
A waxwing seen by Bob Jackson in Burnham Market. Picture: Bob Jackson - Credit: Archant
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