There are some birds out there that grab the attention of birders and non birders alike. With jaw dropping good looks and that sleek black mask, Cedar Waxwings are certainly that type of bird which are impossible to ignore in the field. I spotted a flock of Waxwings while birding in the Great Smokey Mountains NP and at the peak of Mt.Mitchell in western NC. This is the first time I ever had an opportunity to photograph them at eye level, as usually wax wings tend to hang out at the very tippy tops of trees. So cool!
Cedar Waxwings travel through N.C. in large numbers throughout the winter and early spring, searching for fruit-bearing trees. In the summer, these nomadic birds raise their young on the insects found in the higher elevations of the Appalachian mountains, the northeastern United States, as well as Canada.
Though they are year round residents of western NC, they are most commonly seen throughout the state during migration. Moving in large flocks they can be found roaming the countryside, cities and suburbs in open woods, yards, descending on sites in a flurry of wings and gaping beaks where hollies, Red Cedars, and other berry-bearing trees are found. Look for them from from mid September through mid May in our central and eastern counties and in all elevations above 2000ft in the summer in western NC.
Not long ago, I arrived at Yates Mill Park to see what I could find. A cold front had just come in, so sometimes this mean that it’s a good opportunity to see if any new birds had arrived.
Instead of heading straight down to the water at the entrance path, I turned right and took a walk across the field. I first saw a few of the species when expect to see during the winter time here in North Carolina. Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice and two Downey woodpeckers. Then, I heard the delicate warbling of a Hermit Thrush coming from the woods next to the field, so I walked inside to see if I can find it.
As soon as my feet hit the crunchy leaves of the forest floor, the Hermit Thrush song stopped. I stood there for a few minutes in silence watching and listening when something caught my eye. Right there in front of me, were three Cedar Waxwings eating some berries off of a small tree. It was really cool to see these beautiful birds as they were my first sighting of Waxwings in many years!
Cedar Waxwings travel through N.C. in large numbers throughout the winter and early spring, searching for fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, such as Hackberry, Eastern Red Cedar, Black Cherry, and American Holly. In the summer, these nomadic birds raise their young on insects and fruit in the northern U.S. and Canada.
