Hundreds of ‘twichers’ descended on the Norfolk coastline after word spread in the birdwatching fraternity of the rare visitor.

The black lark, native to Russia and Kazakhstan, attracted twitchers from all ends of the country after the first sighting at Winterton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, on Sunday.

There are only two previous recorded sightings in the UK, one in Spurn, near the Humber in 1984, and another in Anglesey in June 2003.

The adult male is all black with pale feather fringes on its back and a yellowish or pinkish bill.

It is thought that this chap may have been blown in by strong easterly winds which have swept across Europe.