The traditional harbingers of spring returned to Bermuda last week.

The first longtails of 2021 were spotted by sharp-eyed nature photographer LeShun Smith, although the group of about 15 birds were well offshore of Church Bay, Southampton.

Mr Smith said yesterday: “Here's hoping that it'll mean an early spring for Bermuda so that we can get away from the seemingly unending spate of cold, wind and rain.”

Early February marks the traditional return of the white-tailed tropicbird to Bermuda waters for to nest – and also a signal of warmer weather to come.

Longtails were also spotted last weekend around Spittal Pond, Smith’s and were logged on the Bermuda Audubon Society’s website by Tim White.