Motorists on Orkney are being told to check under their car bonnets before driving off after it emerged that bird nests have been responsible for a string of island blazes.
There have been three car fires on the islands this month, all said to have been caused by nesting birds.
The most recent incident happened near St Margaret’s Hope, and resulted in a car being completely destroyed by fire due to a starling nest in its engine compartment.
The nest was said to have been made in the car overnight.
The owner could not start the vehicle, and soon noticed smoke rising from the engine. Before long the whole car had been consumed by fire.
Councillor for the East Mainland, South Ronaldsay and Burray, Andrew Drever, said last night: “I have certainly heard from quite a few people about the bird nests.
“It seems to be starlings, they seem to be determined to do their thing.
“Obviously it’s a big danger if anybody were to get trapped in a vehicle.”
Mr Drever urged residents on the islands to “continue to check” their car engines for the nests.
He added: “Check on a daily basis. Once they’re by the nesting stage it shouldn’t happen.”
Kirkwall resident Jonathan Porterfield found a bird’s nest with eggs in it under the bonnet of his car, and is said to be leaving it there until they hatch.
The electric car dealer is said to be using another vehicle until the birds move on.