BIRDWATCHERS from around the country have gathered at a North-East site in the hope of getting a glance of the mating rituals of an exotic pair of birds.

Twitchers from far and wide converged on the County Durham site, in the hope of seeing two colourful bee-eaters, which have made a very rare appearance.

The eye-catching blue-green and yellow birds have caused excitement among ornithologists in the region, and have even been seen mating and carrying out courtship rituals.

But there are worries that their visit may attract egg collectors, and a full-time warden has been employed by the Durham Wildlife Trust to ensure people do not encroach on their temporary home.

Naturalist Mark Richardson, said: "One of main concerns is to ensure the delicate magnesian limestone habitat is not trampled by all the people wanting to see these exciting and delightful birds.

"We are also worried that the bee-eaters will attract egg collecting criminals."

Durham Wildlife Trust has asked The Northern Echo not to publish the exact location of the site.

Meanwhile, experts said yesterday that it was very rare to see bee-eaters so far north, because they are usually found in Mediterranean regions, such as Spain, Greece and parts of France.

There have been numerous sightings of single bee-eaters along the south coast in the past, but very few sightings of them in the North. The last time a pair arrived in the country to mate was in 1955.

Andy Bunton, regional director for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "They are very colourful and beautiful, and are a very rare sight in these parts, usually only found on the continent. It is wonderful that they have flown so far north.

"What makes it all the more exciting is that they have been mating, it would be wonderful if they nested and settled for a while."