Birds of a feather
An "exhausted" bird hitched a lift from a helicopter after being found resting on a North Sea oil rig.
The tired water rail needed help from technology when it got blown off course from Europe during its winter migration.
It was found sheltering by staff on a helideck on October 24.
The frightened and worn out bird was taken by helicopter to Aberdeen, and from there, was transported to a wildlife rescue centre in Alloa, before being released into the wild from Fife.
The water rail usually lives in freshwater wetlands.
Centre manager Colin Seddon said the bird had probably got caught up in strong winds over the North Sea during its winter migration.
He said: "It seems the bird became exhausted and managed to find refuge on the oil rig. It was unable to fly off again so we were contacted for help.
"The water rail was fit and well by the time it was released at Loch Gelly in Fife.
"This was an ideal spot as the loch is surrounded by reedbeds, with no fishing and very little disturbance."
'Exhausted' bird found on North Sea oil rig airlfited by helicopter | Aberdeen & North | News | STV