Photo: Wildlife TrustsHundreds of avid birdwatchers from around the UK headed to a Kent nature reserve following reports of a sighting of a Pacific seabird never before seen in the UK.
The sighting of the exotic-looking tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), a member of the auk family, was reported to Kent Wildlife Trust, after the bird was seen at its Oare Marshes reserve on the Swale Estuary, near Faversham. If verified, it will be the first time the puffin, which is found in the Pacific and recognisable by its thick red bill and yellow tufts, has been seen in the UK.
Kevin Duvall, Kent Wildlife Trust's reserve warden, said: “The sighting of this puffin is almost certainly unprecedented in this country, and could lead to the biggest 'twitch' for years as birdwatchers head to the area. We had to open up the overspill car park to accommodate the rush and I have already spoken to two guys who have travelled down from Middlesborough overnight, so B&B in and around Faversham is sure to be in demand!
“The bird was seen flying up and down the Swale in the morning and last seen heading west but has not been spotted since. A member of Kent Ornithological Society was lucky enough to take photographs and these can be viewed at www.kentos.org.uk.”
Kevin added: “It is remarkable to see any puffins - which are sea-going birds that colonise cliffs - in an estuary area such as the Swale, which might suggest that this bird arrived here because it was hungry or exhausted after a long journey.”
The sighting of the exotic-looking tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), a member of the auk family, was reported to Kent Wildlife Trust, after the bird was seen at its Oare Marshes reserve on the Swale Estuary, near Faversham. If verified, it will be the first time the puffin, which is found in the Pacific and recognisable by its thick red bill and yellow tufts, has been seen in the UK.
Kevin Duvall, Kent Wildlife Trust's reserve warden, said: “The sighting of this puffin is almost certainly unprecedented in this country, and could lead to the biggest 'twitch' for years as birdwatchers head to the area. We had to open up the overspill car park to accommodate the rush and I have already spoken to two guys who have travelled down from Middlesborough overnight, so B&B in and around Faversham is sure to be in demand!
“The bird was seen flying up and down the Swale in the morning and last seen heading west but has not been spotted since. A member of Kent Ornithological Society was lucky enough to take photographs and these can be viewed at www.kentos.org.uk.”
Kevin added: “It is remarkable to see any puffins - which are sea-going birds that colonise cliffs - in an estuary area such as the Swale, which might suggest that this bird arrived here because it was hungry or exhausted after a long journey.”
No comments:
Post a Comment