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BIRDS of prey have been pinching pants and socks from skinny-dippers to build their nests.

The red kites make their swoops when swimmers peel off to take a dip at a popular bathing spot near Glen Esk.

Unsuspecting swimmers had been left baffled by the disappearance of their underwear.

But a gamekeeper found the evidence in the birds’ nest – a selection of socks and a pair of navy underpants.

Dave Clement, head keeper at the Gannochy Estate in Angus, said: “Our trainee gamekeeper discovered the nest and we rang the RSPB to have the red kites ringed and tagged.

“What was really interesting was to see socks and underwear from a popular swimming spot actually in the nest and the surrounding trees.

“It was like the kites were cleaning up the glen.”

More wildlife news

(Image: Cascade)

Two red kite chicks were discovered in the new nest, showing that the clever insulating tactic has paid off.

It isn’t the first time kleptomaniac animals have made the headlines.

In 2012, a Bedfordshire cat became a minor celebrity after stealing clothes and other items from neighbours.

Denis stole underwear, shoes, shirts and paintbrushes – anything he could get his

pesky paws on.

His owner Lesley Newman, of Luton, said at the time: “He will come to my side of the bed and scream until I acknowledge what he has brought in. It’s like, ‘Hello, I’ve brought you a present’.’”

Another cat, Naughty Norris, prowled the Bedminster area of Bristol, bringing home

everything from sports bras and boxer shorts to dishcloths and sausages.

His embarrassed owner Richard Windsor had to write apologetic notes to neighbours explaining Norris’s behaviour and inviting them to reclaim their missing items.

A hungry badger-turned-housebreaker was caught on camera recently sneaking into

a house to help itself to a Bakewell tart in Midhurst, Sussex.

The badger realised it had an audience and made a sharp exit through the kitchen catflap.

But the sweet-toothed creature was not deterred from coming back on subsequent nights, forcing the resident to lock his catflap.