EAGLE-EYED residents are being urged to keep a look out for a bird of prey stolen from a rescue centre at St Columb Major.

Casper, a Striated Caracara, was taken from the Cornish Birds of Prey Centre CIC at Winnards Perch between Thursday at 5pm and Friday at 7am. Arizona, a Gyr falcon, which was also taken, was discovered at the side of a road near the attraction on Saturday.

Kelly Grigg, the owner of the centre at Winnard's Perch, said the bolt and padlock to one of its aviaries had been "hit with force.”

A spokesperson for Cornish Birds of Prey Centre, said: “Due to the power of social media and being made 'too hot to handle', we now have Arizona back safe and sound. If anyone happened to see a bird being left on the roadside opposite the lay-by at Winnards Perch or even worse thrown out of the window, on Saturday please do get in touch.

“I'm grateful to everyone that rang and even called into the centre regarding a bird on the roadside even though I was convinced it would be the local Buzzard, as I do get a lot of phone calls about his antics. A big thank you also for all the cars that came to a standstill and let me cross the road, catch the bird without everyone flying past at speed.”

Devon and Cornwall Police has appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. A substantial reward has been offered for the safe return of Casper.

Kelly Grigg added: “I know it’s someone that knows the centre inside out.

“If anyone saw someone climbing the bank in the early hours, please do get in touch. They were parked in the layby, jumped the hedge, went across the paddock to access the centre.”

A police spokesperson said: “Police are investigating following the theft of two birds of prey from a Cornish animal rescue centre.

“Two falcons, a male and a female, were stolen from Cornish Birds of Prey CIC in St Columb after aviaries were forced open.

“The theft happened between 5pm on November 13 and 7am on November 14.”

Officers are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to contact them online or by telephone on 101, quoting crime reference 50250293367.