BIRD-lovers have been flocking to see a rare owl which has stopped off in the North-East.

The Scops Owl is only around 8ins tall, but its presence in Ryhope, near Sunderland this week, has caused a big flap. 

Enthusiasts says this is the first time the bird has been seen in the area and the first time in the UK for a decade.

"This is the first record on the whole of the North-East coast for 100 years," said Steve Evans of Durham Bird Club.

Video by Chris Waring

"Of the last ten sightings, six have been on inaccessible islands like Orkney, Shetland and the Isles of Scilly - this was a very good opportunity for birdwatchers to study a seldom seen species.

"It was found by local school teacher Tom Middleton in a small, rough valley on the seaward edge of Ryhope village."

Mr Evans said news broke via Durham Bird Club's social media outlets and national grapevines, with local birders quickly on site.

Twitchers travelled from as far away as far Sussex, Kent and Fife.

"At least 1,000 people visited to view the bird which spent its first day happily roosting in an Elderberry bush," he said.

"Wet weather on Wednesday night meant the bird could not continue its migration - Scops is unusual in that it is a summer visiting owl to southern Europe, migrating back over the Med to winter in sub-Saharan Africa," he added.

"This gave more visitors the chance of a rare opportunity to connect with the bird on a second day, one twitcher even leaving the Shetland Islands to make the long journey down to Ryhope in hope of securing a sighting.

"Many local residents have been down to see the bird in its roost, initially sceptical of a large volume of visitors. Several of them obtained good views through the ranks of telescopes and cameras and were delighted when they saw the bird.

"Locals described the owl as canny, cute and tidgey! Other than a few minor parking issues, the bird has been a positive experience for local and visitors alike."

Mr Evans said the Sunderland south area was well known for its varied birdlife with all five British owls seen on an annual basis.

  • The Durham Bird Club is a registered Charity (No 515101) and its website can be found at www.durhambirdclub.org