Rare sight of European robin in Beijing causes stir and Brexit jokes

The rare appearance of a European robin in here in the Chinese capital has caused a stir among nature fans, with some calling the bird a "Brexit refugee".

Nearly 200 bird-watching photographers flocked to the popular Beijing Zoo last Friday after word spread that a European robin had been spotted there, the BBC reported on Monday.

The red-breasted bird is common across Europe but is rarely seen in Beijing - it's only the third time one has been recorded in the capital.

Some birdwatchers have joked the robin might be a "Brexit refugee", the report said.

"It's very rare to see [the European robin] in Beijing," Terry Townshend, founder of Birding Beijing told the BBC.

"Almost 200 photographers camped out for it. I think a lot of people want to [capture it] because it's a very photogenic bird and it has that sort of exotic feel."

Townshend said he found out about the sighting through bird watching groups on WeChat - a messaging app in China.

"A lot of people associate the bird with ...