Waxwings’ fatal attraction

DURING the winter of 2004, waxwings visited Dublin’s St. Stephen’s Green.

The little flock of Scandinavians roosted each night on a rowan tree in the courtyard of an office building.

The site, virtually enclosed on all sides, sheltered from the breeze and inaccessible to the local cats, seemed an excellent place to roost. Juicy red berries, the waxwings’ favourite food, were abundant on the tree.