Title: Bird-spotters flock to see American visitor in Exeter (UK)
Post by: Donna on 17-Nov-10, 06:14:26 AM
By rebecca lomax
HUNDREDS of birdwatchers from around Britain homed in on one of the boggiest parts of Exeter – to see a robin.
But this was no ordinary red-breasted bird.
It was an American robin, of a type not seen on these shores for nearly 30 years.
A member of the thrush family, the large songbird was a long way from home after being blown thousand of miles off course. It ended up among the red berries growing in the midst of the picturesque Exminster Marshes.
The rain-swept marsh land proved a home from home after the bird travelled over the Atlantic. And word soon got out that it was in town.
It is thought to be the first American Robin to come to Devon since 1982.
Word of sightings quickly spread among the close-knit bird watching fraternity and hundreds flocked from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the rare visitor.
Excitement was high at times as the bird-watchers, loaded with cameras, tripods, binoculars, telescopes and even sound recording gear, tripped over themselves to get the best views.
Though common in North America, there have been only 24 recorded sightings of the bird in the UK since 1950.
Tony Whitehead, RSPB Press Officer in Exeter, said: "It's quite a rare bird, but when they do turn up Devon and Cornwall are the two places that have the majority of records for the American Robin."
The male seen in Exeter over the weekend is thought to have been swept over to England by the same Atlantic storms that brought torrential rain down on the heads of the bird-watchers.
Mr Whitehead said: "They are migrant birds and fly from North America down to South America in winter. Some get caught up in tropical storms or weather systems and get hurled across the Atlantic."
So far it's been a good year for America in Devon as the robin is the third stateside visitor, with birders spotting an American Golden Plover and Carolina Wood Duck recently.
