November started with a cold spell and ended with a cold spell with snow, even at sea level.

Despite this, there were still reports of birds considered to be summer visitors including a Wheatear at Clauchlands on 2 November, a Chiffchaff in High Kildonan on 8^th, a Swallow over Sandbraes on 19^th, plus reports of over wintering Blackcaps in gardens in Lamlash on 17^th and in Whiting Bay on 30^th.

In the October notes, I asked readers to keep their eye out for returning Goldeneye and Shelduck.  The first Shelduck report was from Merkland Point and the first Goldeneye was from Clauchlands both on 16^th.

The Great Skua reported in the October Bird Notes remained on the shore by the car park at Shiskine Golf Course until 2^nd November.  Also on that stretch of shore on that date, was a Snow Bunting. 

Other winter visitors included nine Twite on Cleats shore on 2^nd, around one hundred and fifty Redwing in Shiskine on 5^th, a Brambling in a Whiting Bay garden on 9^th, a Greenshank at Clachlands on 16^th, two Rooks on the shore in Blackwaterfoot on 18^th, a Yellowhammer in a garden in Machrie on 20^th, and over two hundred Fieldfare in Lamlash on 29^th.

From the range of winter visitors reported in November, the highlight was undoubtedly the Waxwings.  Even non-birdwatchers can get excited about these distinctive, colourful and famously approachable birds.  They usually offer ample opportunity to appreciate their sandy plumage with a full crest, black bib, yellow tips to the tail feathers and white markings in the wings.  Even the little red waxy tips on some wing feathers, from which Waxwings get their name, can often be seen very well.  They have a call like a tinkling bell and superficially they look a bit like starlings in shape, flight and action, but are much lighter coloured and when startled raise an amazing crest.

Waxwings nest in remote parts of northern Europe, including Siberia, where they rarely see humans.  Food shortages in their usual Scandinavian wintering grounds occasionally drive Waxwings across the sea to Britain.  This winter has been such a year.  Last reported in Arran in January 2007, in this November groups were reported from Kilmory, Whiting Bay, Brodick, and Corrie with the first report on 12^th, and the last report on 22^nd. The largest group was up to one hundred in Whiting Bay on 17^th.