Hassop: Hundreds of 'exquisite' waxwings in the Peak District

Waxwings particularly like red berries such as hawthorn and rowan

Birdwatchers from across the UK have descended on a Derbyshire beauty spot to catch a glimpse of an exotic-looking bird.

More than 350 waxwings have been spotted feasting on hawthorn berries at Hassop Station, near Bakewell, in the Peak District over the past few weeks.

The birds from Scandinavia come over to feed when food is in short supply on the continent and for warmer weather.

A bird charity says it could be a record year for waxwings in the county.

It is called an irruption when the birds arrive in larger numbers than usual

Steve Thorpe, secretary of the Derbyshire Ornithological Society, said hundreds of waxwings had been gorging on berries at the station, on the Monsal Trail.

"We've counted up to 359 in this particular flock in Hassop," he said.

Mr Thorpe added this season had been the best for spotting the colourful birds in the county and believed it could be a record year for sightings of the species.

"The Derbyshire record is 400 which was recorded in December 1970, so we are watching the number closely to see if we can beat the record this year," he said.

Birdwatcher Dean Coupe, from Nottinghamshire, said it was the first time he had seen the waxwings in 40 years

Waxwings stay in the area until they have stripped the berries from the trees.

Mr Thorpe said the flock arrived in Derbyshire in mid-December and believed they would remain for a further two weeks.

The sudden influx - known as an irruption - of waxwings in the area has attracted birdwatchers from across the country each day.

Dave Middleman said making the two-hour trip from Liverpool was worth it as they were "brilliant" birds

Dave Middleman, who travelled from Liverpool to Derbyshire to catch sight of the birds, said: "We haven't had that many in Liverpool, so it's worth making the journey of about two hours. They're brilliant."

Dean Coupe, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, who has been birdwatching for 40 years, said: "This is the first time I've ever seen them. I'm very impressed."

Fiona Maddock, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, said: "I absolutely love waxwings. I've been a birder since a child.

"It's been 11 years since I've last seen some. This is the closest I've been to them. It's amazing.

"They're exquisite, they look as though they've been painted."

Fiona Maddock, from Chesterfield, said she last saw the "exquisite" birds 11 years ago

Mr Thorpe added there had also been "enormous numbers" of waxwings across the country this year, which is thought to be the best "waxwing winter" for a decade.

Years without the birds visiting Britain are known as "blank winters".

The British Trust for Ornithology said waxwings were "rare, but regular winter visitors to the UK".

It said the last real influx was in 2012-13, but there were good numbers in 2015-16 too.

The species is peach-coloured, with a black bandit-style eye mask and gets its name from the red colour in the wings, which is said to look like droplets from a wax candle.

Bird expert Steve Thorpe said 359 waxwings had been counted so far around Hassop Station