Ayrshire Waxwing Influx 2012 - latest

Following three major influxes/invasions of Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) in Ayrshire since 2000 (2000/01, 2004, 2008/09, 2010), a further influx is underway. As previously (see here & here), this post will be updated regularly with reports. A full report of the autumn-winter period records will be published in the Ayrshire Bird Report 2012. Please email me with additional sightings of Waxwings for the blog and bird report at recorder@ayrshire-birding.org.uk or by adding a comment below.

Thanks to the following for records: Anna Basset, Liz Buchanan, Tom Cameron, John Candlish, Stevie Clarke, Anne Dick, Barry Fryer, Iain Hamlin, Angus Hogg, Mike Howes, Robin Ingram, Bruce Kerr, Gordon MacDonald, Peter McEwan, Marco McGinty, Alistair Murdoch, Colin Paton, Tony Scott, Rik van der Starre, Steven Torney, Jim Thompson, Dick Vernon, Ayrshire Birding Yahoo Group, Birdline Scotland, BirdGuides.


Waxwing, photographed in 2008 on the disused railway line at Bonnyton, Kilmarnock.



08/02/13
25, East Road, Prestwick

23/01/13
6, over Dobbies, Ayr

31/12/12
10, Glencairn Square, Kilmarnock

17/12/12
33, Heathfield Rd/Hunters Ave, Ayr
12, Montefode Court, Ardrossan

16/12/12
7, Shawfield Avenue/Maybole Rd, Ayr

07/12/12
20, Morrison's, Kilmarnock


03/12/12
12+, Saltcoats

27/11/12
38, Southannan roundabout, Hunterston
20, Ardrossan
5, Girvan

26/11/12
25, Dunskey Rd, Kilmarnock

25/11/12
80, Sharphill Road, Saltcoats
52, Maybole Road, Ayr
30, Highfield Drive, Stevenston
24, Dunure Road, Ayr
50, Irvine rail station, Irvine

24/11/12
100, Bentink Drive, Troon
70, Sharphill Road, Saltcoats
3, Dunure Road, Ayr
2, Holmston Road, Ayr

23/11/12
20, Alloway, Ayr
10, Henderson Road, Troon

22/11/12
46, Sharphill Road, Saltcoats

20/11/12
50, Sharphill Road, Saltcoats
10, Henderson Road, Troon
15, Briarhill Road, Prestwick
45, Midton Road, Ayr
20, Greenan Road, Ayr

19/11/12
50, Drongan
30, Rowallan Crescent, Prestwick
30, John Street, Ayr

18/11/12
150, Strathayr Place, Ayr
100, Monklands, Barassie
60, Sharphill Road, Saltcoats

17/11/12
195, Irvine

16/11/12
300, High Road/Sharphill Road, Saltcoats

15/11/12
13, Lyle Gardens, Tarryholme, Irvine
220, Sharphill Road/High Road, Saltcoats

14/11/12
7, McGregor Avenue, Stevenston

13/11/12
50, John Street, Ayr

12/11/12
200, Irvine
200, Mill Brae, Ayr
50, John Street, Ayr
80, High Road, Saltcoats
3, Prestwick

11/11/12
100+, High Road, Saltcoats
19, Eglinton Park
30, Kennedy Road, Saltcoats
30, Mill Brae, Ayr
8, Hayley Gardens, Largs

10/11/12
200, Mill Brae, Ayr
150, High Road, Saltcoats

09/11/12
30+ High Road, Saltcoats
1, Alloway, Ayr

08/11/12
100+, Ayr railway station/Mill Brae/Dam Park
15, Southpark Avenue, Ayr
40, Saltcoats railway station

07/11/12
110, Russell Drive/Philip Square, Ayr
60, Ayr railway station

06/11/12 
5, High Road, Saltcoats
52, King Street, Ayr
28, Noddsdale, Largs

05/11/12
10, in trees around Munnoch Crescent, Ardrossan
21, behind PC World, Heathfield Road, Ayr
4, Highfield Drive, Stevenston



Three high-pitched calls around 6 kHz (from group of 3 birds) uttered while perched followed by longer flight call.


Flight calls from three birds leaving hawthorn hedgerow feeding site.