Beautiful Bohemian birds spotted near Mansfield

Waxwings are not native to the UK but visit in winter (Photo by Randen Pederson)

A flock of Waxwings was seen by photographer Charlotte Mason in New Houghton this morning, said to be heading towards Pleasley.

There are three species of Waxwings - Bohemian waxwings are found across North America, Europe and Russia, Japanese Waxwings stay in north-east Asia and Cedar Waxwings are found only in America. It is believed our current visitors are Bohemian Waxwings from Eurasia.

They are described as only short-distance migrants but move nomadically outside the breeding season and mostly feed on fruit.

Bohemian Waxwing, photographed in Canada by Ryan Hodnett

The RSPB said: "The waxwing is a plump bird, which is slightly smaller than a starling. It does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor, in some years in larger numbers, called irruptions, when the population on its breeding grounds gets too big for the food available."

Around 11,000 waxwings visit the UK each year.