A WAVE of invading waxwings has arrived in the North-East and could be pillaging a berry bush near you.

Flocks of the rare visitors from Siberia have been reported at sites throughout Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire, including recent sightings in Bishop Auckland, Stockton, Marske by the Sea and Guisborough,

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is hoping that the extent of the invasion will be tracked by people taking part in this weekend's RSPB garden birdwatch survey, the biggest bird survey of its kind in the world.

Waxwings nest in remote parts of northern Europe, including Siberia, where they rarely see humans. They arrive in this country when food shortages in their Scandinavian wintering grounds drive them across the sea to Britain.

In this country they can be incredibly approachable and flocks of up to 50 often congregate in supermarket car parks and in the landscaped grounds of office blocks, gorging on berries of trees and shrubs such as rowans and cotoneasters.

RSPB North of England information officer, David Hirst, said: "For the first time in 24 years, these great birds could well feature in the North-East results of RSPB's garden birdwatch.

"They are an easy bird to see, as they have little fear of humans and will feed within a few feet of people. If anyone does see a waxwing, they will have a great record for this important survey and we would like to hear about it."

Mr Hirst added: "Waxwings get their name from the tips of their wing feathers, which look as though they have been dipped in bright red sealing wax. They have a call like a tinkling bell and superficially they look a bit like starlings in shape, flight and action, but are much lighter coloured and, when startled, raise an amazing crest which makes them look as if they've got a Mohican haircut."

The garden birdwatch runs over this weekend. People taking part are asked to watch their garden or local park for an hour and record the number of each species seen. Anyone can be involved and you do not need to be an expert to take part.

A survey form is available on-line at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch and will be printed in this week's Radio Times and some national newspapers today and tomorrow.

Alternatively, send a list of the species seen with the largest number seen at any one time, along with your name and full address, to: Big Garden Birdwatch, RSPB, 4 Benton Terrace, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QU