totally disgusted to read this! we all need to be vigilant to people around nest sites, and if in doubt report it to the police/wildlife crimes officer/rspb
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-22978582
also worth pointing out that theses people can be dangerous (from a wildlife crime briefing from a previous job i have heard what egg collectors have been reported to do to wardens on protected sites) so would say not to approach these people, but try to get photos of faces if possible
Absolutely disgusted to see this news. I was chatting to the wardens last week and know how dedicated they are. They must be gutted. We just have to pray that the Terns can recover and that the utter scum who did this get their just desserts. >:(
I guess it is down to each of us as individuals, but if it was one guy on his own I think I would be taking action first and worrying about ringing the police afterwards, especially if I could find a plank of wood handy with which to break both of his legs. >:(
Viewpoint: >:(
Many of us label other species as ruthless killers ie Foxes, Stoats and Magpies etc but none of these are anywhere near as destructive or deadly as Humankind is.
Just recently we have had the horrific act on the Little Terns, Kingfishers dug out of their nest and Sheep sadistically mutilated and tortured with Stanley kinves on Wilton lane.
I like others feel sick and despair and I doubt such acts will cease, but like the first comment says we must always be vigilant, very resilient and stick together, reporting and sharing our observations as we go.
The threat will always be there, populations and urbanisation will continue to increase, poor parentage, cost cutting, unemployment, poor culture, greed and Governments that don't give a damn are all factors helping sick behaviour to ferment and then explode.
No doubt harsh lessons will have been learned by this egg snatch but lets hope it results in effective action, applied in time to save the vulnerable Little Tern colony from total obliteration.
Totally agree with comments by Adam, Dave, Chip & Richard. Perhaps we need to preempt these yobs & note Reg Nos/discreetly take photos of anyone shady we see when we are birding BEFORE anything happens.
Really angry with myself for not doing this re. the horrible people who were prob. responsible for the sickening attack on a terrier by 3 lurchers near Zinc Works Rd, Sat 25th May. I saw these persons, dogs & car almost every evening for a fortnight before the attack, when I was in Rome.
Don't know if the Police got them. Spoke to a witness recently who said the old woman & 11 yr old grandson were hysterical; their poor little dog was literally torn to shreds. If only...