Prolonged Winter Kills Half of Rare Birds

The 2008-2009 extra long cold winter killed half the population of the rare kingfisher in the Netherlands.

"The prolonged period of frosty weather this winter dealt a heavy blow to the kingfisher population.

"Figures published by bird research foundation SOVON show about 50 percent of the small bright blue birds succumbed to the cold and the lack of food.

"Last year 300 of the rare birds were counted, but this year there was only 150 spotted."

Hat Tip: Andrew Bolt