SCORES of birdwatchers have descended on Land's End to try to catch sight of a rare bird that sounds like a cat.

The aptly named Catbird is a visitor from North America and is so named because of its 'meowing' call.

It has been spotted on Treeve Moor near Land's End this week and hundreds of people have flocked to see it.

It is thought to be only the second time that it has been sighted in mainland Britain.

The catbird is around 20cm long and grey.

The first sighting, according to the British Birds Rarities Committee, was in Anglesey in 2001.

Mark Grantham, chairman of the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society, said he thought the bird, which was first seen on Monday, had been brought across the Atlantic on low pressure systems following the recent US storms.

"Birds heading south get carried out to sea on weather systems and then can follow the Gulf Stream before making landfall at the first opportunity," he said.

As news spread of its arrival on social media birdwatchers began arriving in the area.

Mr Grantham added: "Cornwall is used to seeing its fair share of rare birds, but American birds certainly provide extra excitement.

"To see [the grey catbird] flitting along a Cornish hedge is always going to be extra special."