Covid-19: Exmouth bird tweet prompts rule-break fines for twitcherson February 15, 2021 at 5:51 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Five people have been fined for travelling to see a rare bird which was spotted in Exmouth.

Northern mockingbird

image copyrightGetty Images

Bird spotters who breached lockdown restrictions to catch a glimpse of a rare bird have been handed fines.

The Northern mockingbird, not often seen in the UK, was first spotted by Chris Biddle in his garden in Exmouth, Devon, on 6 February.

He tweeted about the sighting, prompting excitement among twitchers.

Five were fined for travelling to the town to photograph the bird after Devon and Cornwall Police were contacted on Saturday over the lockdown breaches.

In a statement, the force said: “It was reported that a number of individuals, suspected to have travelled from outside the area, were trying to photograph a rare bird which had been seen in a garden.”

The grey, long-tailed Northern mockingbird is known for its mimicking ability, and is found in southern Canada, across the US, Mexico and the Northern Caribbean.

It is not thought to have been seen in the UK since the 1980s.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Pakistan passenger train derails killing 30on August 6, 2023 at 1:42 pm

Several coaches of the Hazara Express overturned near the Sahara station in the south of the country.Image source, AFPBy Aoife WalshBBC NewsAt least 30...

Covid: Wales residents urged to hold off foreign holidayson May 13, 2021 at 8:59 pm

People should only go abroad if "essential" for at least three more weeks, Welsh ministers say.image copyrightGetty ImagesPeople in Wales will be urged to...

Winter Olympics: Record breaking, big crashes & landing on one ski – day three best bitson February 7, 2022 at 2:48 pm

Watch some of the best moments from day three of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, including outrageous skills, huge crashes and a record-breaking figure...

Huddersfield: Woman arrested after three children stabbedon February 6, 2023 at 5:10 pm

A three-month-old baby is among the young victims of the stabbings at a house in Huddersfield.Image source, PA MediaA woman has been arrested on...

Great Britain win European mixed team diving bronze in Romeon August 15, 2022 at 11:55 am

Great Britain win mixed team bronze on the opening day of diving at the European Aquatics Championships.Great Britain win mixed team bronze on the...