Toast for rambling red kite bird

BIRD experts raised a toast last night after a young red kite from the Black Isle was tracked to Ayrshire ahead of Burns' Night.

The young female called Poppy was fitted with a satellite transmitter and its progress has been followed by RSPB Scotland staff in Inverness.

Claire Buchanan, RSPB red kite community officer, said the bird, which had been adopted by pupils of Dochgarroch Primary School, near Inverness, is the only red kite from last year's satellite tagged group of six fledglings to have moved away from the Black Isle so far.

"Poppy's siblings are also being closely followed. However they're proving to be home birds compared to her," she said.