News / Waxwing delight
A SMALL flock of one of the most colourful migratory birds to grace Shetland has just arrived in a Lerwick garden, much to the joy of its owner Rhona Summers.
Waxwings usually visit Shetland in autumn while on the way to warmer climes.
With hardly any waxwings showing this autumn, the arrival of at least two in Rhona Summers’ garden has been greeted with delight by local birdwatchers.
Hugh Harrop of Shetland Wildlife has already been around to take photos of the beautiful bird.
“There are at least two birds,” he said. “They are probably a new arrival and have come here due to the northerly winds and the colder weather.
“It might well stay for a period as Rhona is putting out apples and there is also a berry bush nearby.”
Known “Viking birds” because of their crest and the fact that they originate from Scandinavia, they have arrived just in time for the Lerwick Up Helly Aa celebrations next week.
In November 2012 an influx of more than 1,000 waxwings were recorded in one weekend alone in gardens all over Shetland.
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