A Sabine's gull seen in a field in St Mary Picture: JOHN OVENDEN. (37174494)

A BIRD which breeds in the Arctic and spends much of its life at sea has been recorded in Jersey for the first time.

The Sabine’s gull – named after the Irish explorer and ornithologist Sir Edward Sabine – was spotted in a field in St Mary by wildlife photographer John Ovenden.

A Sabine’s gull seen in a field in St Mary Picture: JOHN OVENDEN. (37174492)

There are 12 records of the species around Jersey, but this is the first time the bird has been seen on land.

“I looked at it and straight away I knew it was something different,” said Mr Ovenden.

“It was feeding on worms so was presumably fuelling up before flying off,” he added.