KILDARE WILDLIFE COLUMN: Wildlife boasts many Christmas symbols

The sharp cold weather we have experienced recently combined with the twinkling lights of our decorated homes and communities has certainly brought the Christmas feeling alive and indeed wildlife both native and non native are also very much included with this time of year.

Have you received a Christmas card with a robin or deer featured on its cover? While the Irish deer are not the ones that will be helping Santa on Christmas Eve this year, their association is linked of course through reindeer which have come to symbolise safe journeying and endurance through traveling.

The robin has its links to the post service in the UK when back in the victorian times the post service uniform were red breasted, and of course as they delivered your mail the robin became a common wildlife symbol of Christmas.

Another bird of note that is associated with the Christmas period is the wren. This bird is referred to as the ‘King of all Birds’ as it is said the wren hitched a ride on the wing of an eagle to beat all the birds as one that could fly the highest.

With this win it became a symbol of good fortune throughout Europe, however in Ireland it is also associated with bad fortune and betrayal. It is said the wren was the bird who identified where St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr was hiding from his attackers.

Holly is long associated with Christmas as its thorns are said to symbolise the crown of thorns worn by Christ and its red berries that of his blood.

Mistletoe has its connection to Christmas. When the Goddess Figg lost her son to an arrow made of mistletoe, she vowed that anyone who passed beneath it would kiss, and this plant would never be used as a weapon again.

Wishing you all a very Happy Chrsitmas and a peaceful New Year.

If you come across a wildlife species while out walking during the Christmas break that you would like help identifying or to feature in this article contact me at [email protected].