Crossword Genius

Bird nesting in northern Europe (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

erne

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bird' is the definition.
(erne is a kind of bird)

'in northern europe' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'ERNE' is hidden in the letters of 'northern europe'.

'nesting' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for erne that I've seen before include "flyer in the main" , "Flier" , "Irish lough" , "A high-flier" , "Large bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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