A very unusual visitor normally more associated with Asia and eastern Europe has been spotted at a Scottish nature reserve.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff patrolling the Isle of May off the coast of Fife were astonished to spot a scarlet rosefinch.
The colourful bird appeared in one of the island’s migrant bird traps.
The small, sparrow-sized bird, which boasts a mottled brown back and a bright pink-red face and breast, normally spends the summer breeding in north Asia.
Visitors to the Isle of May are used to seeing large numbers of puffins at close range. Conservationists admit the arrival of the scarlet rosefinch is “out of the ordinary”.
The bird appeared unfazed by all the fuss and even cosied up to SNH Isle of May reserve manager Dave Pickett.
He said, “The island is very well known for its seabird populations.
“However, it is also visited by smaller birds which use the island like a motorway service station, as they head north in spring and south in autumn.”
Mr Pickett admitted the visit of the scarlet rosefinch was a first.
“The Isle of May has been a base for migration bird studies for over 100 years, though most people know the island for the vast concentration of seabirds researchers have been studying for the past 40 years.”
People can visit the Isle of May on boat services between Easter and September 30.
Visits are free, although private boat operators charge for trips to the island.