Northern waterthrush sighting in Essex still attracts large crowds

News of the sighting has drawn twitchers (birdwatchers who seek out specific birds) from far and wide

A "incredibly rare" bird is still attracting visitors to a industrial estate in Essex, including "twitchers" from Scotland.

Birdwatcher Simon Wood said he "nearly fell off" his chair when he saw the northern waterthrush in his garden in Heybridge, near Maldon.

About 1,000 wildlife enthusiasts gathered at a site near Mr Wood's home to try and catch a glimpse.

He said people were using thermal cameras to see the bird in the dark.

The northern waterthrush is usually found in north America and has only been spotted in the UK eight times

The bird was first sighted in Mr Wood's garden on Wednesday.

Since the initial sighting, the bird moved to an area of scrubland and reedbed next to an industrial estate.

Simon Wood described the sighting in Heybridge as a "big deal"

Mr Wood, who is the president of the Essex Birdwatching Society, said bird-lovers had travelled from as far as Scotland and Wales to see it.

"It has continued to be a very surreal experience. We have had something like 900 to 1,000 people down to see this bird," he said.

"It is the best sighting and I do not think I will ever beat it in my lifetime; it is a lottery-winning experience."

He believed the bird had last been seen at about 10:30 GMT on Monday.