Hoopoe 'thinks Innerleithen is the south of France'

22 May 2014 Last updated at 17:10

An exotic-looking bird is thought to have overshot its migration to southern Europe and ended up in the Borders.

The hoopoe arrived in Innerleithen on Sunday and was spotted outside a bed and breakfast in the town.

Lesley Foster, the guest house owner, was only able to identify it thanks to bird-watchers staying with her.

Mike Fraser, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "We do get one every three or four years but usually along the coast.

"It is an over-shooting migrant and probably thinks Innerleithen is the south of France, with the recent warm weather we have had.

"It is great to see a bird like this in the Borders - it is difficult to say how long it will stay."

Ms Forster said she was delighted by the unusual visitor.

'Pretty excited'

She said: "My neighbour mentioned that a strange looking bird was hanging around our garden but I was so busy I had never noticed it.

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