INVESTIGATORS say it will take a painstakingly long time to sift through a huge haul of more than 5000 birds' eggs discovered at a Lothians home.
Wildlife crime officers from two forces and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) were involved in the operation to uncover the eggs, which has been described as one of the biggest finds yet in the Lothians.
Police swooped on the ho
me in Torphichen, near Bathgate in West Lothian after what was described as an intelligence-led operation.
More than 5000 eggs were discovered at the address on Wednesday, along with "egg collecting paraphernalia".
The joint operation involved wildlife officers from Lothian and Borders and Tayside Police as well as investigators from the RSPB.
A spokesman for the RSPB said: "We don't know at this time exactly how many eggs or what kinds of eggs were found so it is too early to say precisely what is contained in the collection.
"It will take a painstakingly long time to sift through and identify which birds' eggs are in it, but a collection of that size would probably contain a broad spectrum of eggs indigenous to Scotland and probably all over Britain.
"Egg collecting is illegal for a very good reason as it has an impact and impedes on maintaining a stable population of birds and there is obvious conservation concerns for rarer birds. It potentially harms the species' ability to exist."
Collectors, known as "eggers" are hated in the birdwatching community.
Sizeable collections are usually accompanied by detailed lists. After the eggs are snatched from nests, small holes are pierced in the tops and bottoms and the contents are blown out.
Collecting birds' eggs has been a crime since 1954.
It is illegal to possess, sell or control any wild birds' eggs taken since that year under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Anyone caught illegally in possession can face up to six months in prison and/or a maximum fine of £5,000 for each egg found.
Rare breeding species particularly vulnerable to egg collectors include Slavonian and black-necked grebes, ospreys, white-tailed eagles, red kites, and red-necked phalaropes.
Since the introduction of custodial sentences for these offences by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, a number of collectors have been sent to prison for up to six months, which has had a positive effect in reducing the activity in the UK.
Egg collecting has been in decline in the Lothians in recent years since the introduction of custodial sentences, a spokesman for the RSPB added.
A 57-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal.
