Dwarf pipe dream appeared after 19 years: "I panicked a bit"

The pygmy pipe dream has not been seen in Sweden for 19 years. It usually breeds in southern Europe, northwestern Africa and southwestern Asia.

- We looked at each other and panicked a little at first. We almost screamed and ran after it to enjoy some more. You don't know if you will see it again, says Gustav Westergren.

After the unusual sighting, Gustav Westergren alerted bird watchers in Varberg. It didn't take many minutes before the first calls started coming in and the alarm spread to bird watchers around the country.

- There were many who thought that they had spelled it wrong when it is such a heavy species, says the 17-year-old, who also managed to capture the rare visitor to Sweden in a picture.

After that, the previously empty parking lot for Naturum Getterön was filled and bird watchers from all over had come to catch a glimpse of the pygmy reed.

Gustav Westergren has been birdwatching for five years and for the past three years he has also been ringing birds. So far, the 17-year-old has crossed 272 species.

- I ring every weekend in the fall and in the spring I go out to the sea with a friend and watch.

At first he didn't know anyone who watched birds, but has gathered a bunch of birdwatching friends.

- Not many people my age are doing this.