BIRDWATCHERS HAVE been ‘flocking’ to Carnoustie over the past week or so to catch a first-hand glimpse of the one of the most unusual ‘birdies’ ever to have been seen in the famous golfing town.

This birdie—a rose-coloured starling or Sturnus Roseus, to give it its proper name—is of the feathered rather than golfing variety and its striking plumage has prompted a ripple of interest among ornithologists from all over Scotland.

Although Sturnus Roseus is basically the same size and shape as our familiar native starling, its striking and distinctive plumage marks it out as something far more exotic.

The adult bird has a black head, wings and tail but the rest of its body is resplendent with the rosy pink feathers which give the bird its common name.

The species is native to the Middle East and normally breeds no closure to Carnoustie than Turkey, although it has occasionally bred in Greece and Italy, and individual vagrants do turn up in the United Kingdom from time to time.

Dan Carmichael, president of the Angus and Dundee Bird Club, said, “It really is a beautiful and striking bird and we were delighted when it decided to arrive in Carnoustie and spend some time in this area.

“It seems to have been accepted as one of the flock by the local starlings and neither they, nor it, seem to realise that its appearance is rather different from the rather drab summer plumage of the native birds.”

The visitor has been frequenting gardens in the Smieton Street area of Carnoustie, where Angus and Dundee Bird Group members Mark Caunt and Richard Bramhall were rewarded for their patience by capturing some high-quality still and video footage of the ‘tourist.’