Sun-seeking songbird rare sight at reserve

FOUR hundred fanatical bird watchers have flocked to Berry Head nature reserve in Brixham so far to see a very rare visitor — the Sardinian warbler.

The rarity, blown off course while heading back to the Mediterranean for the winter, is thought to be a female and is feasting on small insects and blow-flies.

Park manager Nigel Smallbones, of the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, said: "It has created a lot of interest.

"This is only the third or fourth sighting ever on the UK mainland, although they have been spotted occasionally on the Scilly Isles.

"It may have been brought here unexpectedly by prevailing winds. There were hundreds of people here at the weekend, trying to catch a glimpse and take pictures."

The Mediterranean visitor's call is distinctive, fast and rattling and characteristic of the wildlife noises we've all heard on holiday in the sun.

The birds are also common in Turkey and Northern Asia.

It has been a busy week for spotters generally, Mr Smallbones added.

"We recently had a long-eared owl passing through. Our guillemots arrived back in October and more recently there have been a lot of harbour porpoises off the headland.

"Last Friday and Saturday I counted nine each day and on Sunday we spotted seven."