Norfolk: Injured puffin discovered on Cley Beach by walker

A puffin was found on Cley Beach today in what has been described by experts as an "unusual discovery" for the county. 

The bird - which has a red-listed UK conservation status - was discovered with a suspected injured wing which led to a call to Norfolk Wildlife Rescue to step in and help. 

Kevin Murphy, who runs the organisation, said it was a "bit of a shock discovery for Norfolk". 

He said: "Puffins are rare around here but after being shown a picture I knew immediately what it was. 

"I'd never come across one before but I'd heard of sightings that some had been seen off the coast over the last few weeks. 

"I wonder if this one had flown off course." 

Puffins, which are sometimes referred to as a sea parrots, are striking birds due to their distinctive appearance. 

The birds have black backs and white underparts, a distinctive black head with large, pale cheeks and a tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. 

Most puffins spend winters at sea before thousands return to the UK to nest in their hobbit-like burrows in the ground. 

It is a red-listed species given half of the UK population can be found at only a few sites.

Mr Murphy said he plans to care for the puffin until he finds someone who specialises in the animal to help. 

"This one's a little underweight and very feisty. I believe it's a youngster," he said. 

"I'm going to look after it until I can find someone with a bit more of a background to help because it's not a species that I've really come across before." 

Mr Murphy offered advice to people who came across injured wild animals. 

He said: "People should ring a rescue centre because they will likely be better equipped than the average person to help. 

"I always say don't try and raise wild animals yourself if you're not experienced as it is dangerous. 

"I always urge people to call and then rescue centres can take it from there."