A colourful bird more often found in Southern Europe and Africa led visitors to flock to Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve.

Hoopoes are small attractive birds that are reminiscent of woodpeckers. They are unmistakable due to their long beak, colourful feathers and distinctive crest. The bird has been seen at various locations around Montrose over the past week.

Around 5-20 hoopoes are recorded in Scotland each year, many of these sightings are in northeast Scotland.

The hoopoe isn’t the only natural attraction at Montrose Basin this winter. Recent wetland bird surveys have recorded high numbers of wigeon, shelduck and teal, as well as lapwings and oystercatchers.

To find out more pop into Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, open Friday to Monday from 10.30am – 4pm.