Rare American robin brings twitchers flocking to Eastbourne

The American robin was flying down to Mexico for the winter when it got lost and ended up in an Eastbourne suburban cul de sac.

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It is believed the migrating bird was blown off course across the Atlantic during the annual migration south.

Birdwatchers hoping to catch a glimpse of a bird have been gathering in the Sussex street for days.Nick Bond was part of a large group who caught sight of the robin.

The American robin is rarely seen in the UK

He said: “This a very rare bird to Britain let alone Sussex.

“They do migrate in large numbers in America so this one has gotten lost en route and ended up in Eastbourne.”

Local residents in the Eastbourne cul de sac are said to be friendly and have welcomed the bird watchers.

Eastbourne residents have been welcoming twitchers to the area

According to Nick Bond, they have been very patient and understanding.

The American robin, a cousin of the red breasted bird common across the UK, is a symbol of good luck in the United States.

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​The first ever British sighting of the American robin was in Devon in 1952.

Since then there have only been 28 sightings.

The last recording of the bird in Britain was also in Devon, back in 2018.

The robin is thousands of miles away from home

American robins are common from Alaska to Acapulco most of the year.

During winter months they fly to the sunnier climes of Central and South America.

It is during this migration that the bird is thought to have flown off course, paying a visit to Eastbourne.

Twitchers have been flocking to see the robin

Though the American robin has a red patch on its front, similar to its European cousin, this extends right down to its belly rather than being just on the breast.

Its colouring is also a brick-red, rather than the bright orange familiar to British gardens.