Thousands of bird eggs found in Merseyside

Around 5,000 bird eggs have been voluntarily handed over to the NWCU and Police by a 44 year old from Merseyside

When the call came in the officials were expecting to collect a few hundred birds’ eggs, but instead they found several huge specimen cabinets filled with 1000’s of eggs, including osprey, golden eagle and many foreign species. Officers were also provided with a large number of data cards, some of which date back around 100 years.

Egg collecting in the UK was an acceptable hobby in Victorian times and the early 1900’s. However, it became illegal to take birds eggs in 1954 and the law was further strengthened in 1981 when possession of wild birds’ eggs was made an offence.

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Botulism kills birds in Merseyside, Manchester and Staffordshire

1 August 2014 Last updated at 13:50

More than 130 birds have died from avian botulism in parks across Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Staffordshire, the RSPCA has said.

RSPCA officers have found the bodies of swans, Canada geese, coots and ducks and have collected about 30 dead birds from Birkenhead Park in Merseyside.

The RSPCA is rescuing and treating birds that have contracted the disease.

Humans are not thought to be in danger, as the disease cannot be spread by touching or being near infected birds.

Avian botulism is caused by a water-soluble toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is more often seen in warmer weather.

The RSPCA said the disease had affected birds at Newsham Park, Stanley Park and Walton Hall Park all in Liverpool, Boggart Hole Clough in Manchester, Rudyard Lakes in Rudyard, Staffordshire and Firs Park in Leigh, Wigan.

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