Eagle eyes 'spot missing hawk'

HOLYROOD'S missing hawk may have decamped to Midlothian, according to a reported sighting.

Two men driving near Penicuik yesterday afternoon believe they spotted the bird, which disappeared while patrolling the skies above the Scottish Parliament earlier this week.

The six-month-old Harris hawk, called Tweed, was one of eight birds brought in by parliament bosses to scare away pigeons which have plagued the 414m Holyrood building since it opened.

Piano tuner John Jenkins, 73, from Glencorse, and his son, David, 36, are convinced they saw the hawk.

Mr Jenkins said: "We were just coming down Pomathorn Brae and this bird flew right across the road.

"At first I thought it had something in its claws, but then I saw it looked like a bit of leather on its foot."

Mr Jenkins said the bird looked healthy and said he would be happy to take the bird's handler to show him where he saw it.