Rare Purple Sandpiper spotted in Sheringham in north Norfolk

The Purple Sandpiper was seen on the rocks in Sheringham on Friday.

The small shorebird is a winter visitor to the UK but is rarely seen south of Yorkshire except in Devon and Cornwall.

It is mainly dark grey and white and has a downcurved beak with bright orange legs.

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The Purple Sandpiper is scarce in Norfolk (Image: Jon Gibson)Bob Morgan, a reserves officer for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: "The Purple Sandpiper is an uncommon but regular winter visitor to the Norfolk coast.

"Most breed in Iceland, Scandinavia and a few around the coast of northern Scotland. 

"The birds usually prefer the west and northern coasts where there are wave-washed seaweed-covered rocks.

"In Norfolk - a coastline of beaches and saltmarsh - they can be found in small numbers around the granite blocks of large sea defences Sea Palling or sometimes the stanchions of piers in Cromer."

The bird was photographed by Jon Gibson from Dereham who spotted it on the rocks in front of the beach huts.