Posted by Alan Hakim on April 11, 2003 at 17:32:07 from 212.137.206.213 user awhakim.
It is reported in the Daily Telegraph today that an egg collector who has dedicated his life to stealing the eggs of some of Britain's rarest birds was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
Anthony Higham (clearly a nom de guerre) was found to have 849 wild birds' eggs in his possession, Northwich, Cheshire, magistrates were told. These included five clutches of Golden Eagle (total British population 425 pairs), four of Osprey (140 pairs), 15 of Peregrine Falcon (around 1200 pairs) and seven of chough (280-350 pairs).
Also found was video footage showing Higham stealing Red-throated Divers' eggs on the Orkney Islands.
A spokesman for the George Owdon Society said, "Never mind: the GOS word needs spreading within Her Majesty's establishments."