A BARRHEAD street has been under siege from a group of hungry Viking invaders.

But residents need not be alarmed, as the invaders are colourful, migrant birds that have flown here from their usual haunts in Scandinavia.

Birdwatchers in the area have been delighted to see the rare migrants – called waxwings – which have been gorging themselves on berries growing on trees in the Gleniffer Drive area.

Waxwings, which are winter visitors to Scotland, are thought to come here when there is a shortage of their usual food in northern Europe.

Normally very few make the dangerous flight across the North Sea but this year thousands have turned up, including the flock of 20 seen in Barrhead.

News of the Barrhead sighting was given in an email alert to birdwatchers by the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club.

One nature enthusiast said: “You can go for several years without seeing any waxwings, but this winter has seen exceptional numbers across the country.

“They are plump birds around the size of a starling with pinkish-brown plumage and a prominent crest.

“The best place to look for them is on trees where there is a good crop of berries.”

Waxwings get their name from the red tips – resembling sealing wax – on some of their feathers.