Black-crowned night herons spotted on St Kilda
Droughts in continental Europe are a possible cause for sightings of a Mediterranean bird in Britain and Ireland, say ornithologists. Black-crowned night herons have been spotted on Scotland's remote St Kilda archipelago, as well as County Wexford in Ireland and Dorset in England. The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) said the numbers were potentially unprecedented but not unexpected. It said warmer climate species have been appearing for a number of years. A BTO spokesman said climate change had created a "push and pull situation". Hotter conditions have made it tougher for some species in their native territories, while warmer weather in the UK and Ireland has made it easier for the birds to establish themselves there. BTO said some Mediterranean birds, such as little egret, were now breeding in parts of the UK. The Scottish Ornithologists' Club has said there could be a total of eight black-crowned herons in Scotland. It said the highest previous number was 12 in 1987. The birds are native to temperate and tropical regions of the world. In Europe, they are found in Mediterranean areas but also Germany, Poland and Czech Republic. BirdGuides said severe drought conditions in Spain and southern France could be possibly behind the recent influx. It has received reports of the herons from Scotland, England and Ireland, including seven at Drinagh in County Wexford and two at Iford in Dorset. Wildlife rangers have been among those to spot the birds in St Kilda. Three adults and a juvenile have been seen so far on the main island of Hirta. UHI North, West and Hebrides celebrate launch as Scotlands newest college We have a bigger voice that we want to exercise: new college will push for more support for rural areas City Seen Flashback: Pictures from Inverness in August 2011 WATCH: Finnish firefighter (51) set to cross Caledonian Canal in epic solo Atlantic row Inverness children get up close to helicopters Thurso pupils turn rock stars for visit of Rock Kidz Thurso pupils turn rock stars for visit of Rock Kidz Morocco rescuers dig with bare hands as foreign aid sent US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' A Serbian scientist's long quest to name Srebrenica's dead How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans. Video The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.