Hundreds of birdwatchers flock to catch glimpse of rare bearded vulture in UK skies

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Hundreds of birdwatchers flock to catch glimpse of rare bearded vulture which has been spotted in UK for only the second time after last sighting in 2016

  • The bearded vulture has been spotted in the UK for only the second time ever
  • It was seen flying over Sheffield, Derbyshire and the West Midlands on Sunday
  • IUCN Red List of Threatened Species say the bearded vulture is near threatened
  • Around 200 Britons hurried to get a look at the vulture, not seen since 2016

By Sam Blitz For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A rare type of vulture was spotted in Britain for just the second time ever over the weekend.

The bearded vulture, whose wingspan can reach up to three metres, was spotted flying above Sheffield, Derbyshire and the West Midlands on Sunday.

The bird was last spotted flying in British skies in 2016 after it was photographed in Dartmoor, and around 200 birdwatchers flocked to get the best view of this rare sight.

A bearded vulture (pictured) was spotted in the UK for the first time in four years near Sheffield, Derbyshire and West Midlands 

WHAT IS A BEARDED VULTURE? 

A bearded vulture is incredibly rare with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categorising it as ‘near threatened’.

It lives and breeds on crags in high mountains and its wingspan can reach up to three meters.

Its distinguishing feature is its feathered neck, while this type of bird tends to hatch two or three eggs in winter before they hatch in spring.

Bearded vultures are normally found in southern Europe, the Caucasus, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Tibet.  

South Lincolnshire resident William Bowell, who looks to the skies for birds as a hobby, told PA: ‘It’s a truly magnificent sight, to see Britain’s largest bird of prey in Yorkshire, and hundreds of birders from all over the country have made the journey.’ 

Experts believe the bearded vulture is around two-years-old and flew over Belgium from the Pyrenees, having being part of a population that was released into the wild there.

They also reckon the bird encountered back weather above other countries so fled to the UK skies, or perhaps fancied a trip away from its home in the Alps.

Tim Birch from the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: ‘It’s incredibly rare and so impressive. It’s without doubt one of the biggest birds ever seen in the wild here.

‘It’s a delight to see the sheer joy on people’s faces who are witnessing it. We think because of its young age it has gone “walkabout” as juveniles often do.’ 

According to the Times, a teenager watching the bird ‘nearly fainted’ at the sight of the bird due to the ‘unforgettable sight’. The bearded vulture is currently said to be nesting in Derbyshire for the time being.

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the bearded vulture is categorised as near threatened. 

The bearded vulture is categorised as near threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and birdwatchers hurried to get their best shot of the bird

The bearded vulture is categorised as near threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and birdwatchers hurried to get their best shot of the bird