New species is spotted at loch

A species of woodland bird has been spotted at a Perthshire nature reserve for the first time.

ScottishWildlifeTrust staff at the Loch of the Lowes, near Dunkeld, spotted the pair of nuthatches this week.

The birds were first recorded in Scotland in 1981 and are spreading north due to climate change.

This is the first time one of them has been recorded at the Perthshire beauty spot.

Assistant ranger Paul Anderson said:“We regularly see climbing birds including tree creepers and greater spotted woodpeckers at the reserve but these colourful new arrivals have been causing quite a stir at our viewing window.

“The nuthatch has been increasing its range north for decades.

“We were aware that they had been seen relatively close by, at Killiecrankie, in recent years so it was really just a matter of time until we started to see them at Loch of the Lowes and it a delight to have our first pair here on the reserve.

“While it’s great to have another interesting bird to show visitors, we are conscious that their presence here is likely down to climate change, something which could have other less welcome effects on our native wildlife as temperatures increase.”

The tit-size bird has a short tail, large head and woodpecker-style bill and feeds on insects, seeds and nuts.

Nuthatches nest in tree holes or abandoned nests and can lay up to 13 eggs at a time.

They are the only birds in the UK that can climb head-first down tree trunks by holding on with their powerful toes.