The bird spotted in Norton Green.

A rare bird is causing a flutter in Comet country, attracting twitchers from miles around.

A single Great Grey Shrike has been spotted by bird watchers in Norton Green – a first for the area.

Richard Pople from Stevenage first spotted the small bird which overwinters in the UK from Scandinavia last month and since then it has attracted fellow ornithologists from surrounding counties.

He said: “It’s a very popular sighting as it’s the first time this species has turned up in Stevenage. It’s quite easy to see as it perches high on trees and bushes looking out for its prey which it stores on thorns and spikes of trees.”

Classed as a ‘dangerous predator’ by the RSPB, the bird has a diet of beetles and other insects.