Bird study after salmon numbers drop in River Tweed

A study of some fish-eating birds is being carried out in one of the most popular fishing destinations in the Scottish Borders.

After a fall in salmon numbers on the River Tweed some birds will be killed for research.

The move is being brought in to allow scientists to study the bird's diet and how they affect fish stocks.

The Tweed is one of four major rivers undergoing a study of what types of fish Cormorants and Goosanders eat at different times of the year.

Fishing on the River Tweed generates around :

The RSPB say the cull has not been approved and say they are worried other factors affecting fish numbers in the River Tweed have not been considered.