The National Armed Forces (NBS) Air Force detected an unidentified flying object near the Latvian border, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. However, subsequent information proved to be considerably less sensational – except to ornithologists.

The Ministry said that the flying object was seen near the Latvian-Belarusian border and crossed it in the Krāslava region.

Fighter jets of the NATO Air Policing Mission from the Lielvārde military base scrambled to search the area but found no suspicious objects in Latvian airspace and returned to base.

Later on Tuesday the “object” was identified as a flock of birds – not an unusual thing to see at this time of year, particularly with large numbers of migratory birds flying south for the winter. The precise species was not specified. The LETA news agency reported that airspace monitoring devices had detected a flock of birds but no other suspicious objects were seen.

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa reiterated that the public must be informed when unidentified objects approach Latvia. Defense Minister Andris Sprūds added that the jets were airborne as it was at first impossible to say what the “object” was.

The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior call on residents to report suspicious objects or activities in the Latvian border area immediately by calling 112.