As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

'Obsessional' thieves found guilty of stealing hundreds of birds' eggs after two-year undercover operation


'Premier league' bird egg collector Marcus Betteridge fined £1,000 for disturbing rare Dartford warbler's nest

Seymour Crang also fined £1,000 for unlawful possession of wild birds' eggs

Two 'premier league' bird egg collectors have been fined for stealing hundreds of rare eggs after a two year police investigation to find the culprits. 

'Obsessive' collectors Marcus Betteridge, 52, and Seymour Crang, 49, built up a unique collection of rare eggs after stealing them from the nests of birds including lesser redpolls, tree pipits and redshanks.

Police raided their homes after a two year joint investigation with the RSPCA and National Wildlife Crime Unit and discovered hundreds of eggs, collecting equipment, photographs and diaries relating to activities at nest sites.

Five eggs of a lesser redpoll, four of a tree pipit, five linnet eggs and one of a redshank, all kept in a cotton-wool lined ice cream carton were found at the home of Crang.

Police also discovered a diary belonging to Mr Betteridge which contained hundreds of pages with detailed notes covering more than a decade of activity.

Newton Abbot Magistrates Court heard Crang and Betteridge are 'premier league' and 'obsessional' egg thieves with a 'twisted psyche'.

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