6 November 2016

Winter visitors


Some real signs of winter today........................


It was cold for a start, it was snowing a bit and there were a lot of new winter arrivals.

North of town we found a flock of 25 or so Japanese Waxwing. This is the earliest I've ever seen them. Some of them looked a bit scruffy, I guess I never see them when they are moulting. It was very very dark too, not a good day for photos to be honest.






In the same place there was a big flock of Dusky Thrush (and 1 Eye-browed Thrush), Brambling and Hawfinch. At Yakumo the eagles have arrived. I saw about 8 or so individuals of both species including 3 adult Stellers Sea Eagle.

Also around were White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan, Black Scoter, Goldeneye, Dunlin, Japanese Wagtail, Glaucous Gull, Great Egret, Peregrine and Goshawk. In town last week there were Hawfinch, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Great Egret and Red-flanked Bluetail near my apartment...............

A lot of snow on the mountaintops inland from Yakumo and the temperature just above freezing. After 2 very mild ones are we going to get a cold winter?

9 comments:

  1. The waxwings look extra special with the berries. You have a great start to the winter already.

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  2. When the waxwings start showing up you know that winter can't be far behind.

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    Replies
    1. Actually they often show up in late winter, these were very early.........

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  3. Great to see the Waxwings. That does sound like winter is there!

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    Replies
    1. Milder weather returned the next day but winter isn't far off...........

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  4. Send a few of those Waxwings down to us, please !

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  5. Amazing to think you get winter so early. We had our first proper snow (in lowland Scotland) just this past week!

    It's been a waxwing winter in the UK, at least :)

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