Crossword Genius

Bird always seen about the North (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)

'always seen about the north' is the wordplay.
'always seen' becomes 'ere' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'the north' becomes 'N' (abbreviation).
'ere' enclosing 'n' is 'ERNE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for erne that I've seen before include "bird of prey" , "Sea bird: lough in Ulster" , "Lough of the North" , "Irish river, loughs; sea bird" , "Fish-eating sea eagle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app