By Michael Alexander and Eric Nicolson

THE UNSEASONABLY warm weather is causing confusion among wildlife in Courier country.

In Fife, a rare comma butterfly has been spotted—the first recorded sighting in the region for 180 years.

An expert said yesterday the visitor, which was spotted in Crail, could be the result of global warming.

And in Perthshire, a confused pigeon has been spotted building a nest as autumn draws near.

The wood pigeon has been seen building her nest in Blairgowrie by keen spotter Neil Watson.

Mr Watson, of Shawfield Lane, in the Rosemount area, said, “This is something I’ve certainly never seen before. You only expect to see birds nesting months before September.

“I don’t know what it means but hopefully it is a sign that it will be a mild winter.”

Meanwhile, speaking of the rare butterfly visitor, Paul Kirkland, of Butterfly Conservation Scotland, said, “The recent hot weather has been well publicised and sparked debate about whether global warming is already happening.

“The rise in temperature has seen an expansion in some butterfly populations into Fife from warmer climates south of the region.”

He added, “Fife Council’s Environmental Recording Network (FERN) has received a variety of interesting and sometimes unique wildlife records throughout the summer.”

Mr Kirkland said the comma did disappear from Scotland but has been seen in increasing numbers over the last few years. The explanation for its recolonisation is not fully understood but is likely to be linked to the run of recent warm years.

Due to its distinct wing outline, which appears ragged, the comma can be identified easily.

FERN encourages any member of the public with an interest in nature to submit details of any wildlife they identify.