Ilkley Baptist

Yesterday I saw a flock of waxwings in Addingham. I was walking beside the river Wharfe, near the suspension bridge that takes you across to Nessfield. It's the first time I've seen waxwings. They are immediately recognisable birds, very attractive, quite tame, and filled the trees with sounds reminiscent of electronic phone ring tones.

They're a new species for me, bringing my lamentable total to 128. Nine of those were added this year, though, so it's a growing list.

They have also inspired me, after all this time, to restart this blog. Over the months of silence, the things that have made me think about adding a post have mainly been matters to do with natural history: the weather, the moss on the moor, birds and insects. So perhaps I need to think again about the purpose of this blog.