A rare bird has been making itself at home in Weymouth - thousands of miles away from its usual habitat.

A Franklin's Gull, which breeds in northern USA and Canada, has joined flocks of other gulls at Swannery car park next to Radipole Lake to the delight of many birdwatchers in the area.

It arrived in Weymouth on Monday and has been spotted around different areas of the borough.

Daniel Bartlett, of RSPB Radipole Lake, said: "The bird was probably caught up in last weeks stormy weather, and may well have been blown here across the Atlantic. It seems to spend its days out in Weymouth Bay looking for food, and has been seen as far out as Portland Bill.

"Birdwatchers have responded to its arrival, and have been gathering around the RSPB Discovery Centre every afternoon hoping to see the bird. Gulls are often seen in large numbers at the lake during winter afternoons. They come to wash the salt water out of their feathers, before heading off to sea again at dusk, and so the cycle continues."

Mr Bartlett said it is hoped the gull will stay in the area for some time. He added that the birds need to conserve their energy in the winter months.

He said: "As gulls gather in the car-park most afternoons, the RSPB asks that drivers could please try to drive around the flocks where possible."