When I went today to nest check one of my Tree Sparrow colonies on private land, I was staggered to find 5 of the boxes had been removed. They had not simply been trashed and cast aside, but had been carefully levered of the trees. This would require a ladder and some strength and determination. The boxes were unlovely objects, but highly functional, so I doubt if they will appear on Stockton market, a car boot sale or ebay. So, as they have no monetary value, I am forced to conclude that the thief wanted them for his / her own enjoyment of having nesting birds in the garden , or such place.
The logic and motivation leaves me baffled!
There's nowt as queer as folk, as the saying goes, no logical answer to that one.
Such things are very disappointing and give ones faith a good knock but I do hope you continue with such conservation projects which could bring great benefits to our beleaguered birds.
Coincidentally, my friend has Tree Sparrows in a nesting box, they are busy feeding fledglings in his Redcar garden.
Until this time I had never noticed Tree Sparrows in Redcar so it was a very nice surprise. :)