Experts mystified by dead blue gull found in Inverness

The gull was found on a shore of the Beauly Firth in the Highlands

A blue-coloured gull has been found dead in Inverness.

Wildlife enthusiast David Lynch made the find on Sunday on a shore of the Beauly Firth close to Clachnaharry.

The RSPB believes it to be a common gull that has been dyed blue, adding it was unaware of any bird identification schemes involving dyeing.

The Scottish SPCA said it had not received any reports of a cruelty case involving a gull from Inverness.

After examining Mr Lynch's photographs, RSPB Scotland said: "We think it's a common gull.

"Not sure how it came to be that colour which looks like a dye, and unaware of any scheme involving dyeing so a bit of a mystery."