|
|
Inishowen rowan berries attract
stunning waxwings
07.02.17
WILDLIFE photographer
Christine Cassidy was delighted to snap these
beautiful waxwings recently in Inishowen.
Christine, a member of Wild Inishowen, spotted the
exotic-looking birds as they feasted on a plentiful
supply of rowan berries in Buncrana on the first day
of February.
There are traditionally only a few sightings of
waxwings in Ireland each winter.
The colourful crested bird is green-listed here
while its European population is evaluated as
secure. |
 |
|
Waxing lyrical: Beautiful waxwing
birds feast on rowan berries in Buncrana. Photo:
Christine Cassidy. |
They breed in Finland,
across Siberia and northermost parts of north
America and they usually overwinter in southern
Scandinavia, according to BirdWatch Ireland.
However, larger numbers visit here every few years
when food supplies in their normal winter habitats
run out prematurely.
And a drive along Inishowen's hedgerows these past
few weeks would seem to suggest that the peninsula
has a large supply of rowan berries this season.
Meanwhile, some believe that a large number of
waxwings is linked to the onset of cold weather. |
|
