Red kites ready to fly again
Two red kites are to be released back into the wild after being rescued by the Scottish SPCA.
Concerned members of the public in the Highlands and Aberdeenshire called us after finding the injured birds of prey.
One of the kites was rescued around three weeks ago (August 13) after becoming caught in a wire fence on a croft in Dingwall.
Senior Inspector Gill MacGregor said, "The poor bird had become tangled in wire and suffered a tear to her wing. Luckily the person who found her was able to free her and keep her there until we arrived.
"The kite was taken to our Wildlife Rescue Centre near Dunfermline where she received vet treatment to repair her wing.
"Her tag revealed she's part of an RSPB Scotland re-introduction programme and had flown around 30 miles from Tain, so we'll release her back there once she has fully recovered."
The second kite was found injured at the side of the road in Aberdeenshire by a member of the public.
The kind passer-by spotted the weak bird perched on the ground near Drum Castle in Banchory on Wednesday evening (31 August) and wrapped him in a jumper until our Ambulance Driver Karen Hogg arrived.
Karen said, "We think he had been hit by a car, possibly clipped by a wing mirror.
"Luckily he had been tagged by the RSPB so we were able to indentify him as one of this year's youngsters. We also know he came from a nesting area around three miles from where he was found.
"He's now recovering at the New Deer rescue centre and will be ready to be released soon.
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed animal should call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.