An avian flu outbreak is suspected of causing the deaths of more than 200 seabirds at a beauty spot.
Government wildlife agency NatureScot found the sandwich terns and black-headed gulls dead at Forvie National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire.
The birds were removed and will be tested to confirm if it was avian flu.
Dog owners were urged to keep their pets on a lead to avoid any dead birds.
A spokesperson for NatureScot said: "We are concerned about the unprecedented outbreak of avian flu over the last two years and continue to work with partners through the Scottish Task Force to ensure that we have the correct monitoring and best advice for land managers in place.
"Members of the public should avoid touching sick or dead wild birds and we would encourage visitors to coastal areas to keep their dogs on a lead to avoid them picking up dead birds."
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