Dozens of bird enthusiasts flocked to a north Norfolk beach today after a rare sighting.
A citril finch was seen near pine trees at Burnham Overy dunes, west of Holkham beach, at about 8am today by Marcus Nash who runs Norfolk bird tours.
About 100 people rushed to the remote area after the sighting of the small songbird was recorded on Twitter and other birding information websites.
It is the second recorded sighting of a citril finch in Britain - the first was in 2008 when one was spotted on Fair Isle off Scotland.
Citril finches usually live in the mountains of south west Europe from Spain to the Alps and are not birds which usually migrate.
One of the birders who saw the creature was Simon Chidwick, 45, from Overstrand.
He said: 'It is probably a once in a lifetime bird sighting in the county. It was really good to see. It was nice to see something so rare.'
Mr Chidwick added some people had driven about 400 miles to see the bird.
Another birder who drove from Sheffield to see it and photograph it was council worker Mark Reeder, 45.
He said: 'It is a nice looking bird. Norfolk is a good place to spot birds.'
Have you spotted a rare bird or animal in Norfolk? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here