The first recorded sighting of a black-browed albatross in Suffolk has been made at RSPB Minsmere.

The seabird, which is thought to be the same one last seen on the German island of Heligoland four days ago, was spotted on a small pool behind South hide this afternoon, according to officials at the reserve.

It was first seen at about 4.40pm but later flew out to sea.

The bird is a rare visitor from the southern oceans, with very few sightings in the northern hemisphere at all, with one of the most well-known in the United Kingdom being a black-browed albatross who was nicknamed Albert – who turned up in Scotland and later flew to Shetland.

He left after 40 years.

The EADT’s environment correspondent John Grant said the sighting was very unusual.

Did you get any pictures of the albatross? Send an email to newsroom@archant.co.uk