News: December 2004

Waxwings have appeared as far west as Ireland in much greater numbers than usual this year.

Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) are an 'irruptive' species which, every few years, leave their native Scandinavia in large numbers in the winter to find food elsewhere in milder parts of Europe, including the British Isles. This normally happens in years when there is a poor berry crop (their staple winter food). This year has seen larger numbers than usual going as far west as Ireland and at a much earlier point in the winter too.

Waxwings are particularly attracted to red berries like holly (Ilex aquifolium), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.), so if you have any of these in your garden, keep an eye out for this spectacular winter visitor; you may be lucky.

Siobhan Maguire. Invader from the north puts holly at risk. Viewed on the web at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-1389397,00.html on December 6th 2004.