Waxwing

🔍 Overview

A striking winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in irruption years (every few winters) and favouring berry-laden trees.

🪶 Key Identification Features

Pinkish-grey body

Prominent crest, black mask

Yellow and red wing markings

🗺️ Habitat & Distribution

Unpredictable; in irruption winters, flocks can be found in urban areas, supermarket car parks, and ornamental trees across Sussex, especially Crawley, Hastings, and Brighton.

🎶 Voice & Behaviour

High-pitched trilling “sirrr”. Often tame, feeding acrobatically in trees and flying in tight flocks.