Wise bird! Rare Alpine swift prefers to be in Cleethorpes than in sunny Mediterranean climes

High in the sky, the rare bird whizzes past

                                                                      

A RARE bird that should be in the Mediterranean has been spotted in Cleethorpes.

The Alpine swift winters in South Africa and flies north to breed in Spain, Italy, Portugal and other sunny climes.

But this bird has overshot its range and has been seen circling the water tower,  Chapman's pond , the Suggitts Lane footbridge and Blundell Park.

It was first detected by longstanding Cleethorpes birder John Nelson at about 10.30am yesterday.

He put out the word, and it has since attracted a steady audience of admirers, impressed with its aeronautical acrobatics.

"It's a fine bird, and seems to be in good condition, so its obviously finding enough flying insects to feed on," says John. "Despite the cold wind, it seems happy to be  in Cleethorpes."  

Scythe-shaped wings - the Alpine swift streaks past

The bird's speed of flight makes photographing it a challenge for these local birders 

How the bird appears in the recently-published (and authoritative) 3rd Edition of Collins Bird Guide