When do waxwings leave Vermont?

Cedar Waxwings never fully leave Vermont: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of September, but some are still reported in every week, about 2.0% of checklists at the low.

When is the best time to see waxwings in Vermont?

The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late July, on about 36% of Vermont checklists.

Which waxwings are in Vermont?

Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.

2 waxwing species in Vermont

When Do Waxwings Arrive in Vermont?

Photo: Sean Frey, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Cedar Waxwings are in Vermont all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from early June, peak in late July (36% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of September. In the quietest week (late April) they are still on about 2.0% of checklists. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Vermont.

When to look

Numbers buildJun 1-7early June

PeakJul 22-31late July

Fall back bySep 8-14the second week of September

FewestApr 22-30late April

Best: late July. Here all year; numbers build from early June and fall back by the second week of September. Peak: on about 36% of Vermont checklists.

Janrare
Febrare
Marrare
Aprrare
Mayuncommon
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augpeak season
Sepcommon
Octuncommon
Novrare
Decrare

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Waxwings in Vermont, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Cedar Waxwing	Jun 1-7	Jun 1-7	Jul 22-31	Sep 8-14	36%
Bohemian Waxwing	Nov 8-14	Nov 8-14	Mar 1-7	Apr 8-14	1.4%

Cedar Waxwing
Bohemian Waxwing

Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Vermont that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Vermont

Best counties for Cedar Waxwing

Share of checklists at the peak

Essex CountyBest late July · 366 checklists that week, 9,416 in all49%
Orange CountyBest mid July · 276 checklists that week, 16,964 in all46%
Lamoille CountyBest early August · 251 checklists that week, 16,426 in all40%
Chittenden CountyBest late July · 2137 checklists that week, 109,477 in all40%
Rutland CountyBest mid July · 773 checklists that week, 46,909 in all39%
Bennington CountyBest the second week of August · 270 checklists that week, 21,621 in all38%

Common questions

When do waxwings arrive in Vermont?: Cedar Waxwings are in Vermont all year, but most are here in summer: numbers build from early June, peak in late July (36% of checklists), and fall back by the second week of September. In the quietest week (late April) they are still on about 2.0% of checklists. They are by far the most reported waxwings in Vermont.
When do waxwings leave Vermont?: Cedar Waxwings never fully leave Vermont: numbers fall back below half their usual rate by the second week of September, but some are still reported in every week, about 2.0% of checklists at the low.
When is the best time to see waxwings in Vermont?: The Cedar Waxwing is reported most often in late July, on about 36% of Vermont checklists.
Which waxwings are in Vermont?: Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing are reported regularly; the Cedar Waxwing is the most common.