Wildlife experts are expecting a rise in the number of seabirds killed in an oil slick off the Western Isles.
Dead guillemots are being discovered along a 130-mile stretch of the Hebridean coastline since a few days after Christmas.
Five more dead birds discovered on Thursday brought the total up to 17.
It is thought that a ship sailing along the west coast of the Hebrides around Christmas time dumped waste oil into the ocean, affecting the wildlife.
The dead birds being washed ashore are covered in a thick brown sludge which kills them when they swallow it, or it clings to their feathers and exposes their skin to freezing water.
They have been discovered in Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, Lewis and Harris.
Mrtin Scott of Western Isles RSPB said: "The numbers of dead seabirds are slowly creeping up. The weather is now calmer so more people are out walking the beach.
He expects more oiled birds to be found over the coming days as "with the better weather, we expect more people will be out and about this weekend".
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