Problems with parking at The Wixams

Still 20+ Waxwings near Sunderland Road/Tyne Road junction in Sandy (seen c. 1515 this afternoon).

I was at Dane Lane, The Wixams, earlier but did not stay (I note the lack of reports from there thus far). The neighbours are getting very frustrated with the numbers of birders' cars, which, they say, are causing them problems with getting in and out of their drives - a further point was made that if a fire engine or ambulance had to get to the bottom of the lane it would be unable to do so. I was approached by a lady who, in a very calm, pleasant and reasonable way, made these points. I suspect that the problem is increased because, with the weekend, more birders are turning up. The lady claimed that the whole lane is in fact a private road - although there is certainly no sign to indicate that this is the case (apart from the very bottom of the lane where there is a sign).

I hope that we would all agree that it would be counterproductive to fall out with the people who live in the area. They would advise birders to park at the "top" (the eastern end) of the lane and walk down to the area where the SEOs and the Merlin have been seen.Over to us!! (Peter Cook)