Page 15 - Oundle Life January 2022

Far left: Goosander ©Mike Alibone Centre: Waxwing ©Mike Alibone
Left: Brambling ©Jim Dunkley
Below: Whooper Swan ©Mike Alibone
swans, too, as our resident, pink-billed Mute Swans are also being joined by Whooper Swans, identifiable by a combination of yellow and black bills and their distinctive trumpeting calls.
But what about our gardens, town and village
northern finch and another distinctive bird, similar to a Chaffinch but readily identifiable by its orange and white (not pink) breast, dark head and large white rump. These birds are voracious seed-eaters and, while feeding in
parks and the wider countryside? From late December onwards, with luck,
we may run into Waxwings, which erratically irrupt in large numbers from Scandinavia and in winter
feed almost exclusively on berries. Particularly fond of Rowan trees and Cotoneasters, as well as being highly popular with birdwatchers, Waxwings are very distinctive, Starling-sized birds with ‘milk chocolate’ plumage,
this winter is proving to be one of the best on record for visiting Bramblings
flocks on farmland, will readily visit gardens in search of food. So, keep an eye on your garden feeders!
To find out what may be occurring in your area – and when – the Oundle Bookshop, at 13 Market Place, regularly stocks Northants Birds – the annually produced publication summarising all species seen in Northamptonshire each year, as well as other interesting articles and information. The latest edition,
a combination of red, white, black and yellow wings, a yellow-tipped tail and a long, pointed crest.
And while we’re talking Scandinavian invaders, this winter is proving to be one of the best on record for visiting Bramblings, a
covering the year 2020, has just been published and is now available.
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Mike Alibone
www.northantsbirds.com