My Blog - Jeff Clarke

Return of the Bohemians

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Just under two years ago I was merrily clicking away with my camera at Bohemian Waxwings Bombycilla garrulus, those exotic wanderers from the north, as they scoffed rowan berries between a couple of car showrooms in the heart of Warrington. Little did I expect a reprise of this event so soon afterwards. This species is noted for it's periodic irruptions into the UK following a failure of the rowan berry crop in southern Scandinavia but this is something that normally only happens once or twice a decade. However these irruptions are becoming more frequent and the numbers of birds involved dwarfs those in most previous decades.

Despite being a spectacularly good looking creature it's not always easy to photograph well. It's frenetic feeding style makes it hard to capture the bird in the optimum pose and getting flight shots is equally difficult. Well I've spent a couple of hours over the past few days attempting to get quality shots. None are perfect but I'm getting closer and hopefully they will still be around when I return from my travels in a months time. If you have rowans near you still festooned with berries. Keep a weather eye on them as these marauders with bouffants will be sure to seek them out over the coming weeks.