BIRD watchers in Radcliffe are flocking to Dumers Lane to witness an invasion of birds normally found in the northern forests of Russia.

Up to 100 waxwings, small multi-coloured birds with crests on top of their heads, are feeding in Dumers Lane on two rowan trees.

The waxwings were first spotted on Sunday feeding on the hundreds of red berries. The birds breed in Russia and Scandinavia but every few years will invade the UK when there is a shortage of food in their native homeland.

Peter Baron, a keen bird watcher, believes this invasion may only be the beginning: "These birds go on the move like a swarm of locusts only they are a bit more friendly!

"They start off in Scotland and eastern England before gradually making their way down south. When these invasions happen they tend to peak in January so there may be more to come and this could be just the start."

No-one knows how long the waxwings, who get their name from the tiny red patches on their wings which looks like sealing wax, will stay in Radcliffe so avid bird fans are visiting the site daily to catch the birds swooping into the trees, eating a few berries then flying away to digest the food before returning.

Mr Baron said: "These birds eat insects during the summer but in the autumn they love to eat big juicy berries and these rowan trees on Dumers Lane, close to the old peoples home, are perfect. But, once the food has gone, they will move on."