'Snow-bunting' visits back garden

The snow bunting has visited the garden a number of times

A birdwatcher from Cornwall has found what she believes is a rare bird in her back garden.

Janet Davies, from Helston, was hoping to see a snow-bunting during a holiday to Norway, but she returned home disappointed.

So she was amazed to see what she believes is a snow-bunting suddenly appear outside her home on Sunday.

Since then the bird, which she says was "very conspicuous", has returned on a number of occasions .

Ms Davies said: "I could see it was something very different because it was so white.

"As it fluttered around it was very conspicuous. I drew some pictures of it and then I went and got the bird book and had a look."

Several thousand snow-buntings visit the UK every winter and a small number breed in Scotland.

Earlier this week a snowy owl, also usually found in colder climes, was spotted in Zennor, near St Ives, Cornwall.