Rare sighting of ibis on Eigg

A GROUP of rare wetland birds, which usually make their home on the Mediterranean coast, have been spotted on a small Hebridean island.

The flock of six glossy ibis arrived on Eigg, to the south of Skye, at the weekend.

They were spotted by birdwatchers on the Eigg reserve, which is operated by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

John Chester, the Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger on Eigg said: “Why exactly they’ve turned up on Eigg, especially in such a wild and wet winter, is a real mystery, but they certainly seem to be having no trouble finding food in the heavily flooded marshes.

“Hopefully they’ll continue to hang around for a while and are enjoying the Hebridean winter.”