In a remarkable British first, a pair of Blyth’s Reed Warbler has nested in Scotland, successfully raising young at an undisclosed Highland site.

After birds were detected at the site earlier in the summer, a small crew of birders monitored the area. A Blyth’s Reed Warbler carrying food to the nest was observed on multiple occasions and, according to the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, young were successfully reared. The timing of the nesting stages mirrored that observed in Scandinavian birds.

The records marks the first time the species has ever bred in Britain.