EACH winter Britain plays host to millions of avian visitors from the continent.

Recent weather notwithstanding, the UK climate is generally milder than that of mainland Europe, and the extra few degrees of temperature make our islands comparatively balmy from a bird's point of view.

While Britain's estuaries and coastal marshes hold internationally important numbers of wildfowl and waders, many winter migrants regularly turn up inland at our local nature reserves.

Thrushes such as redwings and fieldfares occupy a variety of sites, while snipe and water rails skulk among wetland vegetation.

Among others, these species are regular visitors to our neck of the woods.

Some, however, evoke considerable interest among bird-watchers.

I refer, of course, to the spectacular flock of waxwings, which arrived in Kidderminster on January 8 and are still present at the time of writing.

These beautiful birds breed in the boreal forests of northern Europe, eastward as far as western Siberia.

During the summer, adults and young feed on insects, but switch diet in winter to berries, most notably rowan.

Every few years, however, the berry crop may fail in their usual wintering range.

This, coupled with a large population due to a successful breeding season, forces the birds into irregular journeys in search of food.

These movements are known as "eruptions" and this particular winter has seen huge numbers visiting the UK. Indeed, in most years, Wyre Forest may accommodate only a handful, but this flock of more than 100 certainly reflects the national situation.

Although many might assume that "our" waxwings would seek out a quiet rural spot to spend the winter undisturbed, this is rarely the case.

The flock has constantly favoured gardens neighbouring a pub, on a busy main road opposite a noisy building site.

This, of course, is due to the presence of several ornamental rowans, festooned with a glut of berries, which may be completely stripped before the birds finally disperse elsewhere, ultimately back from whence they came.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this exciting event has been the fact that not only birdwatchers, but also many, previously uninterested, people have been able to enjoy these fantastic birds at close quarters.

This can only be good news.