Lapwings, bramblings and a waxwing!
For our latest birdwatching trip, SUBS headed to two of Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s Reserves, Fox Hagg and Wyming Brook, on the outskirts of the city, a short bus journey from the SU. These are two gorgeous reserves which are well worth a visit with lush woodland, a gorgeous babbling brook and spectacular views across the Rivelin Valley and Sheffield.
Starting off in Fox Hagg, it wasn’t long till the trees were thick with birdsong, highlighting the approaching spring. We heard and saw chaffinches, blackbirds, blue tits, and bullfinches in the trees beside the path. Lapwings were spotted in the fields down below the reserve. However the star of the show came not long in to the trip when we spotted an unfamiliar, medium sized bird flying around the tops of the trees. When we saw it in our binoculars there were exclaims of shock and delight as we suddenly realised what it was: a waxwing!
Truly the punks of the bird world, waxwings are irregular winter visitors to the UK. They are migrants, breeding in polar forests, and wintering in north and east Europe, but occasionally visiting the UK when food is short in their wintering areas. This irregularity and their funky appearance, means a sighting is very exciting for birdwatchers!
This lone waxwing was restlessly flying from tree to tree, in a fervent, parachuting flight. He did stop long enough for a photo, before flying off around the reserve again. Meanwhile we also spotted some other winter visitors which were new to some of our members: bramblings!
After all the excitement we continued on through Fox Hagg, stopping for lunch by the Rivelin Dam, before ascending the path alongside the river in Wyming Brook. Though the loudness of the brook wasn’t conducive to birdwatching, as we were unable to hear the birds, it was a really beautiful walk. Returning home on the ridge above the brook was more productive for birds, with sightings of a treecreeper, nuthatches and coal tits, and lots of singing robins. We also saw a very tame redpoll which was calmly feeding close by on the path.
All in all it was a very exciting and stunning walk, highlighting the unpredictability of nature, as you never know what you might see!
