A new arrival to the Highlands - the short-toed lark - has been recorded in the latest report on bird life in the region.

The small bird is commonly found in warm, dry regions like Spain and North Africa and it is rarely found in the north of Europe. But according to the latest annual report published in the Scottish Ornithologist Club's Highland Branch, the lark was spotted at Ardnamurchan in 2004. That brings the total number of wild bird species officially recorded in the Highlands to 332.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal, July 31, 2006