The lammergeier takes to the skies
© Dale KedwardThe lammergeier takes to the skies
One of the world's most stunning birds - the lammergeier - has been seen soaring over the Severn Estuary.

The bird, also known as a bearded vulture, is typically found in mountainous areas in Europe, Asia and Africa.

The bird was seen at Sudbrook in Gwent on May 12, and a few days later over Dartmoor.

If the sightings are confirmed as a wild bird, it will be the first time one has ever been seen in the UK.

Watch the lammergeier in flight near the Severn Estuary. Video courtesy of Dale Kedward.


A bearded vulture in captivity in Germany
© Nicolas Armer/DPA/PA A bearded vulture in captivity in Germany
The Gwent Birding website recorded the sighting.
Lammergeier at Sudbrook, Gwent on Thursday 12th May.

Seen to fly east, then circle and head west.

Possibly/probably the bird seen in Belgium on 9th May.

No obvious signs of bleached flight feathers (as per at least some reintroduced birds), colour marks, etc.

- Gwent Birding
Josh Jones, from Bird Guides, said the signs indicated that the sighting was of a wild bird, possibly offspring from bearded vultures living in the Alps.
There seems to be little doubt that it is a bird born in the wild, and lots of people will want to see it.

- Josh Jones, Bird Guides
Dale Kedward, from Caldicot, was the man who spotted the lammergeier while walking his dog.

He described it as an "amazing" sight.
When I first saw it it was right on the end of a cliff.

I looked at straight away and thought it looks like a vulture but thought it can't be!

I took the footage as best I could. The wingspan was huge, and I knew it was something. When I looked at the bird coming over my head, it was like a pterodactyl!

It looked like it could have picked my dog!

- Dale Kedward
The lammergeier feeds on dead animals and bones, and has a huge wingspan of up to 2.8m (9.2ft).

Lammergeier distribution range map
Lammergeier distribution range map