Coquet Island: roseate tern egg theft (1 Viewer)

[Keith Reeder]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/5099258.stm

 

[London Birder]

that time of year again huh ... maybe a few signs around the colony stating that the eggs are 'forensically' marked would be an idea, assuming there wasn't already ..

 

[mosstrooper]

Hope they catch the vermin :C


mossy

 

[Ian Bell]

Why was the Island nor Wardened ? Or if it was,I would question the way it was being done.The "scum of the earth" that collect eggs,go into fine detail before deciding what birds and nest areas they shall visit and it comes across to me,that this was an easy target.This is not me being "wise after the event",as I have posted on several such issues before.

 

[GDK]

Why was the Island nor Wardened ? Or if it was,I would question the way it was being done.The "scum of the earth" that collect eggs,go into fine detail before deciding what birds and nest areas they shall visit and it comes across to me,that this was an easy target.This is not me being "wise after the event",as I have posted on several such issues before.

I would have thought that an island in the middle of the north sea would be a difficult target. If a warden had spotted them they could have informed the coast guard and had them nicked before they got back to shore. I visited the island last year on one of the organised boat trips (didnt land as that is not allowed), it took a good while to get out to the roseate colony.

Well done to the RSPB for their work with roseates on this island, the population generally, apart from this set back, is doing well I think?

 

[Nick-on]

Hope they catch the vermin :C


mossy

Wait until he/they fall into the sea and drown and then everybody will be saying what nice chaps they were/somebodys son/knew more about birds than Bill Oddie/thoroughly decent chap and other b*llocks.

Nick

 

[martin kitching]

I would have thought that an island in the middle of the north sea would be a difficult target.

Coquet Island is only 1km offshore from Amble, a busy fishing port. Hardly qualifies as the middle of the North Sea. You can watch and identify the Roseate Terns there from the mainland without much difficulty.

martin

 

[Gill Osborne]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! :eek!: :eek!: :eek!:

I would have thought that the Roseates would have been safe being on an island that folk are not allowed to land on - obviously not!!!

Let's hope that these vermin are caught soon and punished properly for this crime! I know what I would do to them!!!!!!! :storm:

 

[Keith Reeder]

The only people that would be put off by a ban on landing are people who wouldn't break the law anyway, Gill...

 

[DaveB]

Name And Shame Them

Why can't they be named and shamed? Photos would be nice (especially during the nesting season), so we can all see who these people (oops), vermin are.

 

[salty]

looks like the island proved to tempting a place for the eggers.......

 

[StevieEvans]

The only people that would be put off by a ban on landing are people who wouldn't break the law anyway, Gill...

Thanks for bringing this item to our attention Keith.

'Suppose a small boat travelling out to land there at first light wouldnt be seen by many (at all) at this time of year....

Cant help thinking the Roseates have got off lightly though, a single clutch gone rather than the whole lot !

As for comment about the wardens, im sure theyre putting in real long hours at this time of year - remember they're wardens not security guards

Steve

 

[Hotspur]

I find it disgusting that a hobby that is completely vilified by society and has been for 20 years still carries on. Lets hope that this has little impact on the success on the coquet island terns and that a successful breeding season is had there.100 pairs would be nice

 

[June Atkinson]

Coquet Island raided

Thanks for bringing this item to our attention Keith.

'Suppose a small boat travelling out to land there at first light wouldnt be seen by many (at all) at this time of year....

Cant help thinking the Roseates have got off lightly though, a single clutch gone rather than the whole lot !

As for comment about the wardens, im sure theyre putting in real long hours at this time of year - remember they're wardens not security guards

Steve

I thought there was a web cam set up in the Tourist Office at Amble. When we were there, everything was ready for the launch of the service for visitors. There was even a call for volunteers to be there.
As you say, this small island is within easy reach by small boat, or even canoes. Let's hope that the perpetrators are brought to book.

 

[brianfm]

Why can't they be named and shamed? Photos would be nice (especially during the nesting season), so we can all see who these people (oops), vermin are.

I guess they have to be caught first. There was photograph of one of our local eggers in the local paper just last week. Problem with criminals however, is that they are not easily shamed. I do share your sentiments though.

 

[Steven Astley]

I find this very worrying as not only is it a rare breeding species but nests in colonies in the open making it more of an easy target, just think what could have happened if they had taken all the eggs.

It's it's a no win situation as even if stiffer punishment is imposed the higher the stakes the higher the value of the eggs means there will always be someone willing to take the risk.

 

[Bones]

I only hope that I see a review of the law in my lifetime that would actually punish these people. Sadly. there is no deterrant.

 

[colonelboris]

I'd see if I could dig up an old MTB (complete with torpedoes) and take a few shifts on patrolling the island...
Failing that, landmines that are set to go off with a pressure above ~50 kg.
Extreme, but just an idea... It works in the Falklands...

 

[Bones]

I'd see if I could dig up an old MTB (complete with torpedoes) and take a few shifts on patrolling the island...
Failing that, landmines that are set to go off with a pressure above ~50 kg.
Extreme, but just an idea... It works in the Falklands...

Bravo Sir! :clap:

I like the cut of your jib...