RESIDENTS in Thurrock are urged to be eagle-eyed and report sightings of Scandinavian bird to Essex Wildlife Trust.

The stunning waxwing bird has been sighted in Essex this winter, and the charity, which has bases at Chafford Gorges Nature Reserve and Thameside Nature Park in Stanford-le-Hope, is keen to collate sightings.

The bird’s most striking feature is its prominent pinky crest.

It is a predominantly a reddish-brown colour with a black throat, a small black mask round its eye, yellow and white in the wings and a yellow-tipped tail.

If you spot one, email the details and any photographs to records@essexwt.org.uk, with ‘waxwing’ in the subject line.

If possible, include your name, where the waxwings were seen and as accurate a location as possible, including a postcode and, if possible, a six-figure grid reference.