500+ Bohemian Waxwings stopped by for lunch yesterday. I was peacefully eating my own sandwich, oblivious to the outside world when my Haikubox notifications went off on my phone. I stepped over to the window, and Uff Dah! It was a mass feeding frenzy 50 yards away. The Bohemians quickly stripped the mountain ash trees in my yard of their berries, and then moved across the road to a large stand of buckthorn (interesting study from the University of Minnesota on Buckthorn and Birds) stripping those trees of their fruit in minutes.
So what the heck is a Haikubox? The answer is … a small device that listens 24×7 to birdsong and is hooked up to the Cornell School of Ornithology. I choose the species about which I wish to be notified, like Bohemian Waxwings, but not Black-Capped Chickadees. I like the little guys, but given my seven bird feeders, my phone would be sounding constantly with notifications. Instead I choose to be notified about any new specie, birds returning during the spring or fall migration, and my local favorites (like my local Great Horned Owls). You may wish to read my full Haikubox review. As always I receive ZERO compensation for any birding device I review, or any other financial consideration.
Bohemian Waxwings of Amity Creek
Bohemians … the Movie! (video link for email subscribers)
In total I watched the waxwings for over an hour. After they stripped the trees of their fruit in my yard, and across the road next to Amity Creek, they moved upstream. I followed for about 1.5 miles eventually finding a small bridge behind which I could hide and use as a bird blind.
Near my yard
Upstream by the bridge
If you’re still with me, here is a screenshot of my Haikubox notifications and my hiding spot next to the bridge. The Bohemian Waxwings would fly by under the span and land on the ice near me.
Your article sensitized me to the various species of waxwings, living in the southeast US, I first encountered the Cedar waxwing while in Tennessee for Thanksgiving but soon found them in my yard in central Florida. I recently enjoyed a trip to India, while there my haikubox was alerting me to their presence in my yard. I was elated and disappointed knowing I would probably miss seeing them. Not sure if the Bohemian and Japanese make it to central Florida but I’ll be on the lookout with my trusty Haikubox!
At our house on Schmidt Creek, the birds (robins, jays, cedar waxwings) strip the mountain ash and the three crab apple trees in the fall… there are only a few left for the grouse through the winter.
It seems like the further one’s yard is from Lake Superior, the less likely the Bohemians are to find your fruit. There is an old crabapple farm 10 miles inland. Some years the waxwings find it, and some years they don’t. In the years the Bohemians find the farm I can see thousands or the rare birds. Food rules in the winter.
amazing photos. i love the ones on the ice- you’re a great photographer! thanks from the heart for sharing
Thank you! I also love birds which makes sharing easier unlike when I was a little boy!
Wow, what an exciting happening!
Very cool!!!