Birdwatchers flock to see ‘extremely rare visitor’ from North America
Some enthusiasts have been waiting for hours in New Hythe, Kent, to catch a glimpse of the yellow warbler.
Hundreds of birdwatchers have been flocking to Kent over the Christmas period after a rare sighting of an American bird.
Some enthusiasts have been waiting for hours in New Hythe, near Maidstone, to catch a glimpse of the yellow warbler.
Local Glenn Honey first spotted the bird on Christmas Eve before crowds of people from as far away as Yorkshire gathered to take a look, KentOnline reported.
Dozens more arrived on Monday when the bird from North America was seen in an alder tree.
According to the British Trust for Ornithology, the warbler is an “extremely rare visitor to Britain and Ireland”.
Wildlife and bird blogger Austin Morley posted on Friday that the bird kept his group waiting for nearly five hours before it made an appearance.
He added on Facebook: “Sensational day in Kent yesterday, with prolonged point blank views of the American yellow warbler at New Hythe and the scops owl at Broadstairs.
“No better way to end the birding year.”
Neville Smith also posted on Facebook about his delight at his sighting of the bird on Christmas Eve.
He wrote: “It was constantly on show and when it showed in the sun it appeared bright yellow with a bold black eye. A very distinctive bird when seen well.
“An unexpected surprise just in time for the festive season, I could not have asked for a better gift than to see a mega so close to home and at Christmas and one more new bird to end a great memorable birding year.”
Others posted of some 300 to 400 people waiting to see the rare species in the days after Christmas.
On Friday, Colin Green wrote: “It kept the 400 or so birders waiting but finally showed itself just after midday, sadly no images but great views.”
