A joint operation involving police and bird lovers in Scotland and the Continent led to three Dutch nationals appearing in court yesterday on charges relating to trading in endangered birds of prey.

The two men and a woman appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court after being arrested in the Aviemore area at the weekend.

It is understood the four charges involve an alleged attempt to obtain peregrine falcon chicks, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act and regulations controlling the trade in endangered species.

Wilhelmus Enzlin, 53, Ivo Van Lanen, 32, and Patricia Van Lanen-Van Roshalen, 29, made no plea during the brief appearance before Sheriff William Fulton.

They were remanded in custody for a week for further inquiries, said fiscal depute Stewart MacIver.