November 4, 2016, 2:37 pm
A blue-coloured gull found dead near Inverness has left experts searching for an explanation.
Wildlife enthusiast David Lynch came across the bird on the shore of the Beauly Firth near Clachnaharry on Sunday.
He shared a picture of the gull on Facebook along with an appeal for ideas on what may have caused its feathers to turn blue.
But so far no one has been able to find an explanation and even the RSPB have branded the death a “mystery”.
David, who is Highland coordinator for Eco Church Scotland, believes the bird may have come into contact with a poisonous chemical or been intentionally dyed by someone looking to track its movements.
He said: “I had just gone out for a walk and I was watching out for any birds on the path. That’s when I noticed that a gull had washed up on the shore and that its feathers appeared to be very blue.
“I wasn’t aware of any blue tinged gulls in the area so I took the picture and thought I would read up on it.
“I spoke to a friend who used to be a ranger in the Highlands and he told me about schemes in America where gulls are dyed to help mark their flight patterns.
Continued
A blue-coloured gull found dead near Inverness has left experts searching for an explanation.
Wildlife enthusiast David Lynch came across the bird on the shore of the Beauly Firth near Clachnaharry on Sunday.
He shared a picture of the gull on Facebook along with an appeal for ideas on what may have caused its feathers to turn blue.
But so far no one has been able to find an explanation and even the RSPB have branded the death a “mystery”.
David, who is Highland coordinator for Eco Church Scotland, believes the bird may have come into contact with a poisonous chemical or been intentionally dyed by someone looking to track its movements.
He said: “I had just gone out for a walk and I was watching out for any birds on the path. That’s when I noticed that a gull had washed up on the shore and that its feathers appeared to be very blue.
“I wasn’t aware of any blue tinged gulls in the area so I took the picture and thought I would read up on it.
“I spoke to a friend who used to be a ranger in the Highlands and he told me about schemes in America where gulls are dyed to help mark their flight patterns.
Continued
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