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Posted: 15th July 2014

RSPB warns of plastic bag dangers
red throated diver
Red-throated divers have seen a recent population decline.
Red-throated diver photographed with a plastic bag in its mouth

RSPB Scotland has urged the public to dispose of litter carefully after a rare bird was photographed with a plastic bag in its beak.

The red-throated diver was caught on camera in a remote part of North Uist on a loch.

James Boyle, site manager of the RSPB's Uist reserves said: “We urge people to take great care in the way they dispose of plastic bags or, indeed, any other rubbish, particularly balloons and Chinese lanterns.

“They pose a direct threat to our wildlife and it is depressing to think that plastic bags are even reaching remote lochans in a place like North Uist.”

Marine birds such as red-throated divers can mistake the bags for fish or use it as nesting material, Mr Boyle added. “If it becomes entangled on their legs or heads it can prove fatal.”

The red-throated diver is so named as it has a distinctive red throat in summer. It is the smaller of two breeding species of diver in the UK and has seen a recent population decline, putting it on the RSPB's Amber List of species.

Scottish Parliament recently approved new rules aiming to cut the use of single-use carrier bags by 80 per cent – a move welcomed by the RSPB. From October this year, all retailers will have to apply a compulsory 5p charge for single-use carrier bags.




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