Police are investigating claims that a sea eagle nest has been destroyed on an Angus estate.
The act has been described as the “most brazen display of raptor persecution” yet seen in Scotland.
Whistleblowers informed RSPB Scotland that the first nest made by the rare white-tailed sea eagle on the east coast in 150 years has been destroyed.
They claimed a tree, on the Invermark Estate, containing the protected nest of eagles was felled this year, crushing the rare eggs inside.
The estate north of Brechin has strenuously denied the claims and said the eagles are thriving there.
Meanwhile, a landowners’ association lamented “anonymous” claims and fears the estate will be treated as “guilty until proven innocent.”
RSPB Scotland allege the estate had been told eagles were nesting in the tree, that they were being monitored, and the nest’s loss will mean no white-tailed eagles can breed there this year.
An RSPB Scotland spokesman said: “We confirm that a nest had been built, but the tree was felled.
“When this incident came to light, we notified the police immediately and shared all our intelligence, since all nests of white-tailed eagles are fully protected.
“This is the first nesting attempt by white-tailed eagles in the east of Scotland for over a century, and is the start of what we hope will become a thriving population of white-tailed eagles in this former part of their natural range.”
Police Scotland last night confirmed an investigation is ongoing into the alleged incident, which is a live police matter.
Duncan Orr Ewing of RSPB Scotland said: “Here is a species that is being brought back as part of international conservation efforts, and we appear to have one individual or a couple of individuals who are undermining that conservation effort.”
In a written statement, Invermark Estate highlighted “an excellent relationship” with wildlife organisations, especially RSPB.
“The estate has also been an enthusiastic supporter of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime,” its spokesman added.
“Any suggestion that the estate or its employees who are highly trained and implement extensive conservation programmes would jeopardise or disrupt species that have made this estate their home, is disputed in the strongest possible terms.”
A spokesman for the landowners’ group, Scottish Land and Estates, said: “Invermark Estate has an exemplary record in wildlife conservation and protection. At this stage the facts have yet to be established.”