π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Sunday 5th November 2023 π€️ 12C ~ Wind Var @ 3MPH ~ During my absence from home, the big news was the appearance of a 1st-winter Red-flanked Bluetail at St. Peter's Cemetery in Aberdeen. I'd also missed a Grey Phalarope at Cairnbulg but my attention was drawn to the Bluetail as it was still being reported the night before my flight home from Malaga. Unfortunately when I saw the local weather forecast for Friday night, which reported clear skies and light winds my hopes of seeing it upon my return early Saturday morning were somewhat dashed! And so it turned out, the bird likely took advantage of the break in the weather to continue its journey south. The bird was reported on Birdguides today Wednesday the 8th as being seen on Monday the 6th. Still, I'm pretty sceptical as there were several good birders over the weekend reporting no sign of the bird.
Despite my disappointment, we move on and I'm happy to report that Waxwings are abundant throughout Aberdeenshire and the possibility that this could be one of the best years for these charismatic birds in recent times. It didn't take me too long on Sunday morning to catch up with a flock of around fifty birds just a 10-minute drive from home.
More Waxwing Images...
