Sandhill crane: Spotted on Aberdeenshire reserve Pic: © Pauline Johnson
A bird rarely spotted in Britain has appeared in Scotland.
Experts say they think the sandhill crane may have been blown off course by Hurricane Katia on its way south for the winter.
The bird, only the fourth of its kind to be recorded in Britain, was spotted at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg in Aberdeenshire last week. It is similar in size to a heron and has a bright red forehead and long dark pointed bill.
The species normally breeds in North America and Canada, migrating south in the autumn months.
Diana Spencer, visitor and publicity officer at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg, said: "We've had a few 'lost' American birds on the reserve recently, but we've never had one as large as this.
"It's quite unmistakable.
"Despite having 12,000 geese on the reserve, all eyes, binoculars and telescopes have been on this new arrival."
