hiya bucks in Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Wycombe, Wooburn January 2019 | Page 12

FRIENDS FROM THE FROZEN LANDS PART 2 Some of Britain’s most colourful winter visitors fly all the way from the northern lands of ice and snow, usually Iceland, Scandinavia and even Siberia. They usually stop here for the first three months of the year and then return north when the sun once again rises above the horizon to create daylight after many weeks of continual darkness. Most migrants are waterfowl. Sea-ducks like the Eider Duck often come in from Iceland. Years ago it was the ducks’ down or chicks’ plumage which made the ‘eider-down’ because of their natural warmth giving qualities. However, it isn’t just waterfowl that migrate here because some passerines or songbirds also visit, such as the rare Waxwing. Their song is just as colourful as their plumage, and I wonder if I really have heard Waxwings here at Millstream Fork during some of the bitter days of January and February. I have some lingering doubts as my task was made difficult without binoculars which would focus on them to fully identify their colours. Their Making a brighter, warmer future. Local family business providing a friendly and reliable service. Offers domestic and commercial services Fully qualified and insured All electrical work carried out by Paul Smale Electrical Services Ltd is guaranteed by ELECSA. Call us on: 01494 482668 or 01628 898989 Mobile: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.paul-smale.co.uk 12 | hiyabucks.com