Twitchers all aflutter

■ Mouille Point was aflurry last week as birders zoomed in on a Western Yellow Wagtail that visited our shores. Andrew Bullmore reported that the rare bird was seen on the beach near the iron engine block of the Royal Mail Steamer Athens, which ran aground here on 17 May 1865. He spotted the bird on Tuesday May 1 and since then birders have been coming from all over to tick off the rare sighting. Hopping around happily with the characteristic long, constantly wagging tail, among kelp, seaweed and rubbish, with its bright yellow plumage, this15cm long bird could have migrated south from Alaska or northern Canada. The call is a characteristic high-pitched jeet. An insectivore, it inhabits open country near water, such as wet meadows. Picture: Karen Watkins