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, 10 February 2017

Rare Arctic bird spotted on river in rural Lincolnshire




25 January 2017

A rare arctic bird has been spotted hundreds of miles south of its normal habitat.

The white-billed diver - also known as the yellow-billed loon - normally winters along the north western coast of Norway.

The bird was spotted on the River Witham at Martin Dales, near Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, on Friday.

Since then, scores of bird watchers have visited the area trying to catch a glimpse of the juvenile bird.

Chris Andrews, from Frampton Marsh Nature Reserve, said at this time of year they are normally found offshore in the northern Pacific, or off the coast of Norway.

Sightings have previously been reported in the Shetland Islands.

However, Mr Andrews said: "It's a rare bird to see in Britain, and for it to wind up inland in Lincolnshire in the same place one was spotted 19 years ago is quite extraordinary.

"Usually, they are off shore about half a mile out to sea."

Mr Andrews said the bird - also known as a yellow-billed loon - because of the weird yodelling calls it makes - will return to its breeding ground at some point soon.

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