Birdwatchers land Covid fines
BIRDWATCHERS and birthday bash boozers breached Covid regulations at the weekend. Police have handed out fines to birdwatchers who flocked to catch a glimpse of a bird rarely seen on UK shores.
Chris Biddle tweeted about the sighting of the northern mockingbird in his garden in Exmouth, Devon, earlier this month, prompting a flurry of excitement for birders.
It is thought to be only the third British record of the bird, normally found in North America, and the first for more than 30 years.
But news of the rare visitor prompted some enthusiasts to head to Exmouth to see the bird, in breach of government guidelines that people should not travel outside their local area during the latest lockdown.
Devon and Cornwall Police said they were contacted early on Saturday morning over potential breaches of Covid-19 regulations in the coastal town.
In a statement, the force said: “It was reported that a number of individuals, suspected to have travelled from outside the area, were trying to photograph a rare bird which had been seen in a garden.”
Fines were issued to five people for breaching the regulations, it added.
The grey, long-tailed northern mockingbird is known for its mimicking ability, and is found in southern Canada, across the US, Mexico and the northern Caribbean.
The sighting of the bird came after two accepted sightings in the UK in the 1980s, at Saltash in Cornwall in 1982, and at Horsey Island, Essex, six years later, experts at BirdGuides said.
Meanwhile nine people were slapped with £200 fines after attending a house party – complete with disco lights and a buffet.
Police were called to reports of a 30th birthday party on Saturday
THE Masked Singer champion Joss Stone has said she struggled with breathlessness as she sang dressed as a sausage and pregnant with her first child.
The Devon-raised soul singer, 33, welcomed Violet with her boyfriend Cody DaLuz two weeks ago but performed on the surreal ITV singing competition, which is pre-recorded months ahead, while still expecting.
Saturday’s final on ITV saw her fend off competition from both JLS star Aston Merrygold, who was disguised as Robin, and American singer Ne-Yo, who appeared as Badger.
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every ticket night, only to find the bash in full swing with loud music playing.
There were also disco lights, buffet, booze and a birthday cake.
Seven men and two women found at the property at Rutland Road, Park North, Swindon, were each issued with £200 fixed penalty notices.
Two of those fined had travelled from the Nottingham area to attend the party.
The fines were just some of the 54 fixed penalty notices handed out by Wiltshire Police over the past week. her home in Nashville, Tennessee, Stone was interrupted by her newborn daughter who cried out during the interview.
She told co-hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford: “I didn’t realise how breathless I was going to be.
“I didn’t realise that was a side effect of pregnancy.
“Your lungs are half of what they normally are and I, of course, picked these massive songs that needed a lot of breath.
“And then we put on that suit, oh my gosh, just walking out I was like, ‘Help me, I can’t breathe’ which made it funnier.”
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