Have Waxwings ever bred in the UK? (1 Viewer)

[Andy J]

Have Waxwings ever bred in the UK?

I am currently writing up a Breeding Bird Survey Report which I carried out in the north of Scotland this year, on which I came across a Waxwing in mid May. Although the likelihood of it being a breeding bird is remote, it got me thinking, has Waxwing ever been proved breeding in the UK? I believe there are records of singing birds, and birds holding territory, but don't know of any confirmed breeding attempts.

Also, is anyone aware of the species having bred in the UK this year after last winter's huge influx?

Cheers

Andy

 

[Jos Stratford]

I don't believe they have, though they are often a very late bird to return to the breeding grounds (remember the high latitudes they inhabit can still have deep snow in April and even May). Here in Lithuania, May records are not infrequent and I seem to remember there was a group on the coast in June too. Mind you, some of that Scottish habitat does have more than a passing resemblance to Lapland