Man charged over rare egg hoard

Eggs from endangered birds, like the marsh harrier, were found

A man has been charged with possessing eggs belonging to some of Scotland's rarest birds.

Central Scotland Police said they had found 77 eggs when they searched a flat in Falkirk.

Some are thought to belong to protected species such as the buzzard, peregrine and marsh harrier, which has only six breeding pairs in Scotland.

A report has been sent to prosecutors, who are now deciding whether to charge him with raiding birds' nests.

The 44-year-old has already been charged with possessing controlled eggs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

They are crimes which will attract the same vigorous standards of investigation and any person found to be responsible will be reported. Inspector Brian Sharkey Central Scotland Police

Penalties for breaching the act include a fine and up to six months in prison.

It comes after a demolition firm was fined £2,000 for disturbing a bat colony in Airth.

The mammals had been roosting in a property which was being renovated by Glasgow-based CMI Demolition.

The company was convicted at Falkirk Sheriff Court last month of breaching the wildlife law.

Central Scotland Police has warned wildlife crime was being "taken seriously" by the force.

Wildlife crime co-ordinator Inspector Brian Sharkey said: "These cases serve to highlight the type of offences which officers are called upon to investigate and report upon.

"The conviction secured in the case involving the bats being disturbed and the recovery of these eggs serve as a reminder to everyone that wildlife crime is taken seriously by this police force."

He said there were 10 officers throughout Central Scotland who have additional responsibility of undertaking the role of Wildlife and Environmental Crime Liaison Officers.

These officers have undergone specific training and are building up an expertise in the field.

Insp Sharkey added: "They are available to offer practical advice and assistance to their colleagues in ongoing investigations where a wildlife crime is suspected.

"Such crimes are many and varied, but be it hare coursing, the persecution of any wildlife species or the disruption of a habitat, in essence they are crimes which will attract the same vigorous standards of investigation and any person found to be responsible will be reported."