The elaborate security cordon set up to protect world leaders at today's G8 summit in this usually peaceful corner of Scotland has already ruffled some residents' feathers.

Eagle enthusiast Adrian Hallgarth breeds from more than 100 birds of prey from around the world at Phoenix Falconry in the village of Braco, about eight kilometres from the Group of Eight summit at Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel.

But repeated security flights by helicopters have given the birds - which include majestic American Bald eagles and Bateleur eagles - panic attacks, causing them to stop breeding and even crush their own eggs.

"When a large, unknown and potentially dangerous silhouette like a helicopter comes over the aviary the parent bird naturally gets very, very nervous and they jump up in surprise," Mr Hallgarth told Reuters Television.

"When they do that they damage their eggs or their babies."

"So, as a consequence, we have lost quite a few this year."

Mr Hallgarth said he welcomed the positive effect the G8 summit could have on the image of Scotland but said he wished the event had been staged in Edinburgh, 60 kilometres to the south-east.

He said he did not expect to receive any compensation for the financial losses he has suffered as a result of the loss of the eagles he breeds.

Nor did he expect compensation for the fact that tourists have stayed away in droves out of fear of protests against the summit, including those in the nearby village of Auchterarder.

- Reuters