Also Chris if you go into Greater Manchester Bird Sightings there is a thread called Waxwings (in Greater Manchester), last entry 13th November 2016 where you will find 44 pages of Waxwing information going back to 2008. It doesn't answer your specific question on migration but it shows where they have been seen over the years in our area and is an interesting read. Hope that helps.
Chris Porter said
Fri Nov 25 1:21 PM, 2016
Thanks Andrew, much appreciated.
Andrew Huyton said
Wed Nov 23 5:51 PM, 2016
You probably have a good chance Chris, as they do seem to turn up at historical sites. For example Hanson lane area of Halifax, where there are currently 28 birds. Guessing the information is passed on genetically in much same way route to Africa is passed on in swallows.
Chris Porter said
Wed Nov 23 4:48 PM, 2016
Does anyone know whether waxwings tend to follow the same routes as previously on their winter jaunts to the UK? Of course they don't make the trip every year so am thinking they are perhaps less likely stick to previous geographical routes in the same way that annual migrants might.
In terms of specific feeding places, are they likely to be guided by memory or just opportunistically spot i.e., a berry-laden tree from the air while passing? I ask because I had waxwings on the plumb cherry tree in the garden in 2012, so hoping to see some again soon.
Charles Coutts said
Fri Nov 18 8:33 PM, 2016
Reports of hundreds of Waxwings in Scotland.Keep your eyes open
Also Chris if you go into Greater Manchester Bird Sightings there is a thread called Waxwings (in Greater Manchester), last entry 13th November 2016 where you will find 44 pages of Waxwing information going back to 2008. It doesn't answer your specific question on migration but it shows where they have been seen over the years in our area and is an interesting read. Hope that helps.
In terms of specific feeding places, are they likely to be guided by memory or just opportunistically spot i.e., a berry-laden tree from the air while passing? I ask because I had waxwings on the plumb cherry tree in the garden in 2012, so hoping to see some again soon.
Reports of hundreds of Waxwings in Scotland.Keep your eyes open