This morning I did a tour round some of the sites in Hazel Grove/Stockport area where Waxwings have been in the past. None today but here's an assessment of the berry crop.
Hazel Grove High School - Abundant Sorbus berry crop on roadside trees and also plenty on nearby Hawthorns by lay-by. Stockport Station approach - Quite good crop of Rowan berries. Lawrence Street, Stockport - 1 or 2 Cotoneasters with berries Nissan Garage, St Mary's Way - A couple of Sorbus with heavy crop of pale yellow berries St Mary's Way (towards A6) - Good Rowan crop Henry St/Rayner St (Off Hall Street), Offerton - Some Rowan berries left but heavy duty mowing causing disturbance Hall Pool Drive, Offerton - I've seen a large flock here before but couldn't find any berry trees - perhaps they are in gardens on the estate M & S, Hazel Grove - Very few berries My back garden, Hazel Grove - nothing - and I don't expect lightning to strike twice!
I did the early visit here 2-3 12 Goldfinch 34 Starling 26 Magpies very aggresive blighters chasing everything off the berries 4 mistle thrush 3 song Thrush thought I heard waxwing but could not locate them.
I had a march around the town centre this morning and failed to turn up any waxwings. Tried the usual station approach and Nissan garage and also a couple of other places where there are berry trees, Lord St (parallell to A6 near station) and nearby car parks on st peters square.
After I add this someone is bound to see some where I have been.
Coming away from Stockport turn right just after the chippy and they often turn up outside the flats on the left opposite Bramwell Street - I can't remember the road name!
I saw what may have been the flock flying from near the Nissan Garage (always check around the back - the berry bushes are near the newer small industrial units there) towards another regular site - The Flying Dutchman pub on the corner of Higher Hillgate but could not be sure.
I also tried the traditional sites of Hall Street and the station with no joy.
the original waxwing thread has not disappeared but has been moved to the discussions forum as it contained no actual sightings and had turned into a very valuable discussion, so it is where it should be!
Lets keep this one to purely waxwing sightings please
No further sign by 11am, searched all around the area including vernon park, market and morrisons even up as far as woodley. It will be a good winter for them tho so expect more reports.