Part of the attraction of the Pitlochry area is the vast array of wildlife which flourishes in and around its Lochs and Glens.

For many visitors it provides the only chance they will get to see some of our rarest and most elusive species.

Birds of prey prove a big attraction, with the returning Ospreys drawing much attention as well as our year round resident, the Golden Eagle, and, with the breeding season well under way, these birds are busier now than they will be for the rest of the year, providing excellent opportunities for them to be observed by the many tourists who visit the area.

Police Wildlife Liaison Officer, Constable Jim Pentley, who is based at Pitlochry Police Station, said,

‘‘Unfortunately whilst most people are responsible in their actions, some come to the Pitlochry area with the deliberate intention of persecuting these magnificent birds. Egg thieves from various parts of the United Kingdom travel to Scotland in order to steal the unhatched eggs from the nest to add to their collections. This practice has been illegal since the early 1980’s however, over 25 years later, it still persists.’’

In response to this, Police Wildlife Crime Officers from across Tayside are involved in an operation to protect the birds and deter would be egg thieves.

Working from the Pitlochry Police Office, the crews patrol areas that are known to have been targeted previously, and can spend several hours at each site even in adverse weather conditions.

Alongside these officers, members of other organisations assist by monitoring the progress of the birds throughout the season, and liaising closely with Tayside Police.

Constable Pentley added,

‘‘This year, we are finding that as well as deliberate acts, the birds are also being disturbed by visitors who mean them no harm. Unfortunately disturbance at this sensitive time can result in the nest being abandoned and eggs not hatching or chicks dying of starvation. This places a strain on the breeding population in years to come.

‘‘Since 2003, reckless or intentional disturbance of these birds at a time when they are nesting is a criminal offence and will be investigated by the Police.’’

However section Inspector Norrie McPherson sought to reassure innocent members of the public that officers were not seeking to target individuals who had inadvertently come across the birds.

He said,

“Since the introduction of the Outdoor Access Code, many people are able to enter areas that were previously off limits, and as such have a greater chance of coming across these birds by accident. We would advise that anyone who does so withdraws to a safe distance from which they can observe them. Coming within 500 metres or so of a nest can disturb its occupants.

‘‘Officers are currently making enquiry into an incident where a person, who should have known better, approached within a couple of hundred yards of an eagles nest. I would also ask those responsible countryside users for their help in detecting and preventing this type of crime. If you see anything unusual, please note details of where, when and any other pertinent details including vehicle registration marks and forward it on to us.”

Tayside Police will be carrying out patrols for several more weeks in vulnerable areas, offering advice to members of the public and hoping to deter those who would further endanger these birds. Anyone who sees anything unusual should contact Tayside Police Control Room at Perth on (01738) 621141.

You can find out more about Wildlife Crime by visiting our dedicated website