A lunchtime visit to Ritan Park revealed that the large Waxwing flock is still present. There are at least 30 Bohemian Waxwings in the group but I did not see the Japanese Waxwing today. Given the mild temperatures (it must have reached +6 degrees Celsius today), there were puddles beginning to form on the ice, providing fresh water for the birds and they frequently came down to drink, offering good opportunities to study the different ages. Adults can be differentiated by the full yellow outer webs on the primaries and males and females can be told by the extent of the yellow band on the tail.
In addition to the Waxwings I also saw my first Crested Mynas in Ritan Park (including a singing male), a single Yellow-bellied Tit and 3 White-throated Laughingthrushes (certainly escapes).
Hi Terry,
Always enjoy discovering a new posting – and hardly expected another so soon after the lengthly Ibisbill one! Thanks for the vicarious birding ( I do my own, of course, but sometimes in the room here I just wonder what others are seeing … and I notice that you also are on to Mike’s down in Hong Kong.)
Best,
Norm
Hi Norm, thanks for the comment. Always nice to know that people are reading the blog. Although Waxwings are always a joy to see, I must admit that I am very much looking forward to Spring now – the winter has been loooong!
Best wishes, Terry