Wreford Leverton spotted this Waxwing in his garden in Taddiport.

The waxwing bird migrates to the UK every winter and it is thought there are less than 100 individuals here between October and March.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

A KEEN bird spotter from Taddiport spotted a rare visitor to his garden this winter.

Wreford Leverton managed to photograph a waxwing feasting on an apple in his back garden.

The plump little bird, which is slightly smaller than a starling, migrates to the UK in the winter.

The RSPB estimates there are less than 100 individuals in the country between October and March, and the bird is usually seen on the east coast.

Mr Leverton said: “I’m 78-years-old and passionate about wildlife, but this is my first ever sighting.”

Tony Whitehead, of the RSPB, said: “This has been a particularly good winter for waxwings, with birds seen in many places across the county.

“They are from northern and eastern Europe and, when here, particularly enjoy the red berries of trees such as rowan.

“They can also turn up just about anywhere, even unlikely places such as supermarket car parks, industrial estates and recently a motorway service station.”

Have you seen a waxwing in North Devon? Send your photos to sarah.howells@archant.co.uk or visit the link in the top right of the page to upload them to iwitness 24.