Bird watchers hoping to spot a
rare European duck on a pool near Shrewsbury claim their chances were ruined by
members of a hunt.
Around 30 bird spotters were in
hides at Venus Pool, between Cross Houses and Cressage, when the hunt’s hounds
found their way on to the nature reserve.
Members of the Shropshire
Ornithological Society (SOS) say the disturbance led to the birds taking
flight, spoiling their observations of the red crested pochard.
John Arnfield, chair of SOS,
said: “Horses and riders were observed all over the reserve, including in
‘no-go’ areas.
"Considerable disruption to
the birds on the pool occurred and the many visitors were frightened and upset.
“We had between 20 and 30 people
in the hides at the pool eager to catch sight of the red crested pochard, which
is a rare bird from Europe.
"However, at around 11am,
the hunt, which started in Eaton Mascot entered the reserve.
"The dogs put up all the
birds from the lake.
"We could see them riding
around the reserve on both sides of the lake.”
