The Harris Hawks, Camay and Terco – a male and female – were pinched between between 5pm Monday, March 2 and 9.30am on Tuesday, March 3.

Centre employees noticed the birds were missing whilst doing their morning patrol and contacted the police.

Stewart Robertson of the LLBOPC told the Reporter it appeared as though a struggle had taken place.

He said: “It appears the thieves came from the Cameron House direction past the Marina. They cut a hole in the fence of the boatyard, destroyed the padlocks on the gate and pen doors, and took the hawks.

“It looks as if they both put up a fight going by the marks on the sand in the pen. It is upsetting when such a mild mannered and well behaved hawk like Camay is subject to such an experience. It looks as if she was involved in quite a struggle. It obviously needed a second person to assist, as there were two sets of footprints in her pen.” Mr Robertson believes the thieves would have been injured by the hawk’s talons as the position of the footprints show there was a struggle to get the birds from the pen.

Police are currently checking CCTV footage and following enquiries.

Constable Andrew Crawford, Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division’s Wildlife Crime Liaison Officer, said: “Detectives are currently carrying out enquiries in the local area to gather more information on this crime and who is responsible. They are studying CCTV footage and speaking to people in the local area in case they witnessed anything vital to this investigation.” He added: “I would urge anyone who may have been in the local area around those times who has information to come forward. Birds of prey are part of Scotland’s identity and I would also ask anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of these two birds to contact Police Scotland as a matter of urgency to ensure their safe recovery.” This is not the first time birds have been stolen from the centre. Three birds stolen three years ago and never returned. The birds that have been stolen this week have little to no value to the thieves.

Mr Robertson said: “There’s no value in the birds, if they wanted they could buy the equivalent for a hundred pounds. They’ve either stolen them to sell on cheap or keep for them themselves, there are more valuable birds here.

“Harris Hawks are fairly anonymous and quite cheap. There is no paperwork or ID required, you could be selling a tea set. I just hope they are keeping the birds in good conditions, the main requirment is food.” Mr Robertson said he is trying to remain positive but chances of recovery are 'very slim’. He added: “It’s been shared all over the place and the amount of support is fabulous, the word is definitely out. I hope people being observant, and keeping ears open will result in their return.

“In England some have been returned in a cardboard box, safe and well. That is the ideal scenario. No self respecting falconer/keeper would inflict this on another, as they know the emotional tie that builds. So the people that carried this out are not true members of the community, they are the lowest of the low.” Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.