Waxwings Finally Show Up En Masse...A Counting Exercise

It has been 23 days since I started monitoring for waxwings using Mountain Ash (Sorbus) trees in the neighborhood. Today I did not drive the 4 mile circuit, simply looked out the kitchen window. Yep, noted a large group of waxwing atop neighbors tall poplar tree. This is usually the scenario, large group of waxwings, when around, usually roost in these tall trees (tallest in the neighborhood). My reasoning for this behavior; Merlin (Falco columbarius) follow these birds around and the waxwings want a good vantage point for safety.

Not only is the mass of birds fun to see, but the cacophony of sound (link from All About Birds [Cornell Lab of Ornithology] website) is distinct.

Here's what the birds look like in flight. Note in poor light/at a distance they look like starlings. Closer examination and you will note the longer non-triangular wings. They land in waves in the treetop and not in a tight bunch or all close together. So how many birds are there?

Bohemian Waxwing Recorded...in Low Numbers

I did my fruit-tree circuit again (previous blog post), initiated about December 8. Did record Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) perched high in a cottonwood once over the 4 mile route. The twelve birds stayed put just long enough for a couple backlit (dark) photos. Even in the dark photo below you can faintly see the white spots on the wings (Cedars do not have these markings). Also identified by the harsher, slower trill.

Perhaps, the normal/above normal temperatures account for the lack of waxwing presence/activity. Today we had spotty rain and about 42 F, 12 degrees above normal. Tomorrow is predicted to be partly cloudy and close to normal temps.

Bohemian Waxwing

Close to Home Birding Adventure...Fruit Trees

Accent plantings around homes should not be discounted for birding, especially when trees of the Prunus (Cherry, assorted cultivars) or Sorbus (Rowan, non-native planting) genus are involved. Here in Lolo, MT (probably most urban areas of the west) both types of tree have been planted extensively in yards. I did a little survey five days ago. I counted 46 Mountain Ash (Rowan) and 22 Cherry trees over a circuit of about 4.5 miles, loaded with fruit. In my immediate neighborhood trees averaged about 215 feet apart. If you check the photos below you can see how loaded the trees are with food. Abundant food is definitely a formula for finding birds, so concentrated the birds come to you! Well almost, but they will be in earshot.

Amazingly, I detected nary a waxwing or grosbeak during the survey. However, it was just a matter of time with this food resource...Yep, heard several waxwing perched in our yard coming home early on Wednesday (2 days after survey). All turned out to be Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedorum). The photo at bottom shows diagnostic characters of this bird: yellow belly, brown mantle, red tipped secondaries, white at bill base.

Drooping form of Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)

Mountain Ash berry

Cherry cultivar with small crop of berries

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedorum)