Rare birds have been mysteriously dying and a royal estate is at the centre of it all

AUGUST 18TH, 2017

GLEN BLACK DISCOVERY, ENVIRONMENT

DISCOVERY

Sally, a Montagu’s harrier, has been missing since 6 August. Made famous by being fitted with a satellite tag and released on the BBC’s Autumnwatch and monitored by the RSPB, Sally is half of one of the five Montagu’s harrier breeding pairs in the UK. Her partner Roger has been found, alone, at their nest in Bircham Tofts, West Norfolk. For those involved with wildlife conservation, it comes as no surprise that this village lies on the edge of Sandringham Estate.

Ten years of crimes and counting

The 20,000-acre royal estate has been host to a string of mysterious bird of prey deaths and disappearances over the past decade. A successful prosecution could land the culprits a hefty fine and prison time, but nobody has yet been caught for the cases at Sandringham.

In 2007, a conservation warden and two onlookers watched two hen harriers being shot mid-flight. This killing happened at Dersingham Bog, a Natural England nature reserve just half a mile from Sandringham itself. Prince Harry and a friend were shooting on the estate at the time and were questioned by the police as suspects. But nothing came of it.

Continued

Monogamous West Norfolk bird wins a second partner

07:48 17 June 2016

Staff monitoring the behaviour of the birdlife in the Fens have spotted a particularly amorous individual residing in the washes.

Black-tailed godwits are usually monogamous birds, but one particular male has surprised researchers with an unusual trait – he has managed to win the affections of two female partners.

It is the first time the behaviour has been noticed at the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust’s Welney Wetland Centre near Downham Market.

Experts claim the male in question could be trying the tactic this summer as the numbers of black-tailed godwits breeding in the UK are at precarious levels.

Read on …