As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Friday 13 September 2013

White-winged black tern at Attenborough Nature Reserve

A rare bird usually found in Central Asia and Africa has been discovered at a nature reserve in Nottinghamshire.

The white-winged black tern has attracted more than 800 birdwatchers to Attenborough since it was first spotted on Thursday.

Experts said the bird could have been blown off its migration course as it would normally spend winter in the southern hemisphere.

Centre manager Tim Sexton said the bird's visit had been amazing.

'Swallow-like'
White-winged black terns' scientific name is Chlidonias Leucopterus which means swallow-like with bright white wings

The birds have a white rump, pale grey upper wings and a broad white collar
They are known as marsh terns and have shorter tails than sea terns like the common and little species

Mr Sexton said: "It first appeared on Thursday but news didn't get to us until late so it was too dark to go out looking for it.

"An anxious night followed and at first light on Friday I arrived at the reserve and within minutes, had relocated the white-winged black tern.

"It's so rare in the UK because it breeds in the far east of Europe, Central Asia and East Africa.

"It over-winters in southern Africa, South Asia and as far away as Australia."

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