European Roller seen in Wales
02/11/2007 00:00:00
Roller facts
- Resemble crows in size and build
- Bird of warm climate
- Closely related to kingfishers and bee-eaters
- Wingspan of 52-58cm
- Considered vulnerable in Europe
National Trust staff were amazed to see a bird which is more suited to the warmer climes of Europe passing time on the Welsh coast. Local naturalist, Barry Stewart, first spotted the European Roller at Welsh Moor Common on the Gower Peninsula in early August. The bird stayed for a couple of days before heading off again. During that time hundreds of birders flocked to the National Trust property to catch sight of this unusual bird.
A rare visitor to these shores, each year there are on average two sightings of a European roller in the UK.
