Man in Aberdeen kit in Sparrowhawk theft bid

wildlife officers have been drafted in to investigate claims a man in a full Aberdeen Football Club kit attempted to steal a sparrowhawk chick from a wooded area near Edinburgh.

Concerned locals initially reported the man, dressed in the Dons’ famous all-red outfit, “intimated” he and a second suspect were going to take the chicks from the nest near the Almond Aquaduct in Newbridge on Saturday with plans to sell them on.

The man, said to be in his thirties, told a passing member of the public he knew of a nest nearby containing five of the protected raptor chicks.

The incident was initially reported to police. However Scottish SPCA (SSPCA) investigators have now also been called on to assist with conducting inquiries into the matter.

Wildlife crime officer PC Charles Davidson said: “We are working with our partners to fully investigate this report and would remind the public that the taking, or harming, of these raptors is an offenceunderthewildlifeand Countryside Act 1981.”

“I’d appeal to any dog walkers or member of the public who may have been near the Union Canal on Saturday afternoon, and who saw these two men, to get in touch with officers should they have information to assist our inquiries.”

The men are both described as white and with local accents. The first, wearing the Aberdeen shirt and shorts with white trainers, was described as being around 5ft 9ins tall with a slim build.

His suspected accomplice was thought to be in his fifties, around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 9ins tall and was wearing a black baseball cap, black down jacket, black jeans and black shoes.

An SSPCA special investigations unit undercover inspector said: “All birds, including birds of prey, are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to remove eggs, chicks or birds from the wild.”

“Any incident of this nature will be fully investigated by the SSPCA and Police Scotland.”