A RARE visitor has descended on Broadhempston and provided twitchers with a bumper Christmas present.

While youngsters were hoping for a sighting of Father Christmas, many of their elders were peering into a meadow to catch a glimpse of the famous arrival – a glossy ibis which is mainly found in Africa.

The bird was spotted on December 22 by marine engineer and keen birdwatcher Ed Cose – pictured right – of Ipplepen, who was born in Broadhempston and has created his own nature reserve two fields away from the meadow.