Rare bird lands up in new territory

NATURALISTS have spoken of their delight after one of Scotland's rarest birds was spotted on a nature reserve for the first time.

- By George Mair

Corncrakes, with their distinctive rasping call, were once widespread in the UK, but have been in decline in recent decades due to changes in agricultural practices.

But now rare footage of a juvenile corncrake has been captured on camera traps at The Oa on the Isle of Islay an RSPB Scotland reserve.

The recording signifies the first confirmed successful breeding of the elusive species at the reserve attributed by RSPB Scotland to habitat management and nature-friendly farming as part of its Corncrake Calling project that involves working with local communities, volunteers, farmers, crofters and landowners.