Nightjar taken into care in Aberdeenshire

A migrant European Nightjar has been handed in to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, after being found on the ground near Peterhead.

Staff at New Arc Wildlife Rescue said the nocturnal bird taken in on 5 May was a "highly unusual admission".

The migrant European Nightjar found grounded near Peterhead on 5 May represents a significant record for Aberdeenshire (New Arc Wildlife Rescue).

A spokeperson for the centre said: "[European Nightjar is] an Amber-Listed species with very few records this far north in the UK. They are a complex species to care for in a wildlife rehabilitation centre due to the fact that they catch their food whilst on the wing during flight and are prone to stress in captivity.

"We will monitor the bird closely during its rehabilitation to ensure that it is coping with the rehabilitation process and hopefully it will be able to return to the wild soon."

European Nightjar is a scarce and localised summer visitor to southern Scotland but it is a rarity in much of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire.

New Arc Wildlife Rescue is requesting donations of items needed for rehabilitating wildlife at the facility and has posted a wishlist online.