‘Worst possible news’ for ospreys project as someone takes chainsaw to the nest
Police are appealing for information after an ospreys breeding project in Denbighshire was disturbed after someone took a chainsaw to the nest.
Ospreys are some of Wales’ rarest birds but had begun nesting in the Llyn Brenig reservoir near Cerrigydrudion in 2018.
Three Western Ospreys had been visiting the platform in recent days, including a pair of three-year-old birds that were breeding for the first time. The first egg of 2021 had been laid at 4.15pm on Thursday.
Ospreys are a schedule 1 species, and any disturbance of them during breeding season without a special license is a crime.
‘Sad’
“Brenig Osprey Project partners woke up this morning to the worst possible news,” North Wales Wildlife Trust said. “Last night, at 21.42, someone took a chainsaw to the osprey nest and felled it – please, please be kind to staff this weekend as we work out how to respond to this horrific act of vandalism.
“For a start – if you have any information that can help us identifying the individuals responsible, please let us know or contact the police with crime reference 2059734.”
1/2 Brenig Osprey Project partners woke up this morning to the worst possible news. Last night, at 21.42, someone took a chainsaw to the osprey nest and felled it – please, please be kind to staff this weekend as we work out how to respond to this horrific act of vandalism. pic.twitter.com/m2V52TWCyu
— North Wales Wildlife Trust (@North_Wales_WT) May 1, 2021
North Wales Police rural crime team said: “We are sad to report that someone last night has intentionally felled the Osprey nest platform at Brenig Lake.
“These rare and highly protected birds only layed their first egg yesterday We are on scene and will update when we can.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
What a senseless act of vandalism.´My heart goes out to those who have nurtured & protected the rare birds. I hope they find the disgraceful people who did this.
Idiot, person who did this needs to be found and charged. Senseless act of vandalism
What a dastardly act by mindless morons, with no respect a total cachgi!
please get all resources pointed at this one.
Not a senseless act of vandalism. Someone did this for a reason – bored kids don’t go out into the middle of nowhere with a chainsaw to cut down a specific tree. It’ll be some selfish see-nut with a business interest they’re worried about.
Totally agree. Someone with a alternative motive.kids probably don’t now where or what tree to cut down.probably done for a reason.😡
Drove the nail home with your comment , first thing that popped into my mind. Revenge. Maybe its reported as a act of vandalism for a reason? Thought a thorough watch would of been kept on the pair. I know theres volunteers who would do this on a rotor.
Why, if these birds are so rare and people have taken the time and trouble to build them a platform etc were they not guarded 24 hrs a day till the young hatched and left??
Disgusting. Just shows that, sadly, 24hr monitoring is needed. Shouldn’t be needed but I assumed that’s what there would be. I’d happily donate to an armed guard. Sounds deliberate, more like the Eagle Owl-using gamekeeper in Yorkshire. Find them.