Surprise flamingo visit for CEMEX quarry
Two greater flamingos spotted wading in restored loch at Cambusmore Quarry in Scotland
CEMEX’s Cambusmore Quarry near Callander, in Perthshire, Scotland, played host to an unusual pair of visitors this morning when two birds believed to be greater flamingos were spotted wading in the site’s restored loch.
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), this could be the first time that greater flamingos, which are better known as residents of Africa but do sometimes visit parts of Europe, have ventured this far north.
CEMEX’s quarry manager at Cambusmore, Alistair Kerr, was amazed to see the two pink birds wading through the loch. ‘I was out doing my usual early morning site inspection, when I saw the two birds down by our lake shore. I thought they were strange looking herons,’ he said.
‘Luckily, I had my camera in the office and managed to get a couple of snaps before they took off. While the quarry is a haven for wildlife, including deer and swans, I never in a million years expected to see flamingos here at Cambusmore.’
CEMEX’s dedicated RSPB biodiversity advisor, Dr Sam Tarrant, said: ‘A flock of greater flamingos was seen flying past a North Sea gas platform some years ago, but they really are a rare sight this far north. However, birds such as these do occasionally reach our shores if they are blown off their migration course.
‘I have never heard of flamingos landing in the UK, though. It’s great for people to see such amazing birds on quarry sites. Quarries are great for wildfowl and birds of prey, but the flamingo is certainly a new species to add to the list!’
Who knows, with a fair wind and a bit of luck, perhaps the pink pair will return to the loch at Cambusmore on 1 April next year!
CEMEX’s Cambusmore Quarry near Callander, in Perthshire, Scotland, played host to an unusual pair of visitors this morning when two birds believed to be greater flamingos were spotted wading in the site’s restored loch.
According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), this could be the first time that greater flamingos, which are better known as residents of Africa but do sometimes visit parts of Europe, have ventured this far north.
CEMEX’s quarry manager at Cambusmore, Alistair Kerr, was amazed to see the two pink birds wading through the loch. ‘I was out doing my usual early morning site inspection, when I saw the two birds down by our lake shore. I thought they were strange looking herons,’ he said.
‘Luckily, I had my camera in the office and managed to get a couple of snaps before they took off. While the quarry is a haven for wildlife, including deer and swans, I never in a million years expected to see flamingos here at Cambusmore.’
CEMEX’s dedicated RSPB biodiversity advisor, Dr Sam Tarrant, said: ‘A flock of greater flamingos was seen flying past a North Sea gas platform some years ago, but they really are a rare sight this far north. However, birds such as these do occasionally reach our shores if they are blown off their migration course.
‘I have never heard of flamingos landing in the UK, though. It’s great for people to see such amazing birds on quarry sites. Quarries are great for wildfowl and birds of prey, but the flamingo is certainly a new species to add to the list!’
Who knows, with a fair wind and a bit of luck, perhaps the pink pair will return to the loch at Cambusmore on 1 April next year!
