The sea eagle is Scotland's largest native bird

The Mull eagle watch initiative, which will start on Monday and continue until 17 April, aims to combat the theft of rare white-tailed sea eagle eggs.

The scheme, which gives the nests round the clock protection, is 10 years old. No egg thefts have occurred since 2000.

The birds became extinct in Scotland in 1918 but were recently reintroduced.

There are local eyes and ears everywhere David Sexton RSPB Scotland

Mull is one of the best places in Scotland to see the species, which is the country's largest native bird with a 2.5m wingspan.

Strathclyde Police said that its eggs had, in the past, been a target of criminals and that this posed a significant threat to the success of the reintroduction programme in the west of Scotland.

Ch Insp Ciorstan Shearer said: "Everyone associated with the isle is extremely proud of the birds, which help contribute to the local community through wildlife tourism.

"We must continue to work together to ensure the future of our rarest species of eagle."

Successful convictions

Pc Finlay Christine, the wildlife crime officer on Mull, said: "Since its launch in 1996, eagle watch has gone from strength to strength and we have not lost any eggs since 2000.

"However, we are not getting complacent and thanks to overwhelming support from everyone involved we plan to provide the best possible protection to the nest sites again this year."

David Sexton, RSPB warden for the island, said that in recent years the local community had been instrumental in the successful convictions of people for disturbing eagle nests.