Durham Bird Club at 50

The county avifauna, The Birds of Durham (Bowey and Newsome, 2012) records that “A public meeting in late 1974 at Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery to discuss bird watching and recording was well-attended. This was followed on 8 January 1975 by another meeting and enrolment for membership of the Durham Bird Club began shortly afterwards.”

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We shall be organising various projects and events during the year to commemorate this special anniversary. These include a "Bird of the Week" feature, appearing below.

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Bird of the Week - Week 2

Waxwing – A Winter Visitor Worth Watching

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​​(Photo by Mark Harper)

 

One of the winter season’s highlights is the arrival of Waxwings. With their soft peachy-pink plumage, striking black masks, and flashes of red and yellow on their wings, they look as though they belong in a tropical rainforest, not a supermarket car park.

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Every so often, these Scandinavian visitors arrive in large numbers, usually when food supplies back home are low. County Durham, with its berry-rich town centres, housing estates, and even roadside verges, becomes a perfect stopover for Waxwings looking to refuel.

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Waxwings are social birds, often spotted in small flocks, and their high-pitched calls are usually the first clue that they’re nearby. If you’re lucky enough to spot them feeding on rowan or hawthorn berries, they’re a joy to watch, especially when they puff up their crests or fan out their bright wings.

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These birds are a reminder of the importance of urban green spaces, not just for wildlife but for the joy they bring to us during the colder months. If you do come across them, it’s best to keep your distance so they can feed undisturbed.

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Have you seen Waxwings this winter? We’d love to hear about your sightings - share them with us and help celebrate one of winter’s most striking visitors!

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E-mail:  durhambirdclub@gmail.com

Social media tags: #DurhamBirdClub #DBC #DBCat50 #Durham #Birding