Investigation launched after bird from Dyfi Osprey Project found dead on Criccieth beach
Dale Spridgeon, local democracy reporter
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of death of an Osprey which was found dead on Criccieth beach.
North Wales Police say the bird from the Dyfi Osprey Project in Machynlleth was discovered on Gwynedd shore shortly before 6pm, yesterday, Tuesday July 26.
The Osprey project reported on its Facebook page “the sad news” of the death of the bird which had been named ‘Hesgyn.’
It had hatched on the Dyfi nest on May 29, 2019 and was three years old.
The Osprey, which was identified by its rings as KA3, was collected by a member of the public.
It was then taken to Glasfryn Osprey Project near Porthmadog.
A North Wales Police Spokesperson said: “Shortly before 6pm yesterday, Tuesday, July 26, we received a report that a three-year-old Osprey from Dyfri Osprey Project in Machynlleth was found dead on Criccieth beach.
“The Osprey, identified by its rings as KA3, was collected by a member of the public and taken to Glasfryn Osprey Project near Porthmadog.
“The bird has since been seized and will be sent to the Welsh Government’s Plant Health and Environment Protection branch in Aberystwyth for a post-mortem examination to help determine a cause of death.
“Anyone with information that could assist with the enquiry is asked to contact us on 101, or via the website, using reference 22000538765.”
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I can’t believe it! The bastards…I was down there the other day visiting family over from England (it’s not their fault, they were just unlucky is all), we went past the sanctuary, I was telling my brother about the bastards doing this previously.
I sincerely hope that this is being treated very seriously. It takes the mind of a truly unwell person to do such things, they should be found for the safety of the public at large as well as for the safety of these most magnificent of birds.
Truly the crime of an unhinged, unwell even, person.
It could be a case of avian flu, there are a lot of gulls dead on the Caernarfon bypass…more than one would expect i’m guessing…that or heat stroke, it would have been helpful if they had said if it had been washed up…
I will give Philip Snow a ring tomorrow…he might put me in the picture…
When I worked on the fishing boats as a young deckie the skipper used to carry a .22 and when we were steaming with the trawl down he would while away the time shooting seagulls, they used to make a popping sound when hit…I thought he was a rotter for doing it but it was a long swim home so I kept my mouth shut…