PICTURES and VIDEO: Rare waxwings drop in at Berry Head

SOUTH Devon birdwatchers were delighted to spot a couple of rare visitors yesterday.

And by lunchtime today their numbers had grown to more than 30.

There has been an influx of waxwings starting on the East coast of the UK, thought to be due to a berry/fruit failure in Scandinavia.

Wildlife illustrator and birdwatcher Mike Langman said: "There will be more heading South and West as they eat their way through their favourite berries in other parts of Britain.

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"Readers should keep their eyes open as they regularly visit gardens after berries.

"Rowan, Cotoneaster and other juicy red or orange garden berries are the favourite of these birds.

"At Berry Head they were eating Rose hips and Hawthorn berries."

Fellow birder Josh Marshall added: "Waxwings are a very rare winter visitor to Devon and Britain.

"They are really handsome, smart-looking birds, mush sought-after by birders throughout the country.

"A bird was located early yesterday by one of the Berry Head rangers. Mike Langman and I found a further three at lunchtime.

"All the birds were seen together near to the northern fort until just before 2pm when they departed west over Brixham."

The video, by Mr Marshall, shows the birds together making their characteristic 'trill'