Bird egg robbers!

[PrunellaGobsworth]

I was looking out my window yesterday and saw 2 handsome young men with baseball caps and backpacks rummaging in the bushes opposite where i live near Dulwich Grove. They emerged with 2 small size eggs in their hands, which they promptly popped into a carton and ran off. The bushes opposite me are nesting sites for Blackbirds and Thrushes.

I notified the RSPCA and they said they could'nt do anything. If i see them again i will notify the Police.

Just be alert for any strange young men rummaging and foraging in your bushes.

[se22cat]

This makes me so sad.

One of the things I love most about this area, having grown up here, is the abundance of bird life we have, and living on a pretty quiet street, seeing and hearing birds (as well as cats and foxes) has always given me immense pleasure.

We used to get hedgehogs visiting in the 80s, haven't seen any sign of one for ages though, maybe due to people getting higher fences built.

Will definitely look out for anything like this happening.

[pipsky2008]

x

[IlonaM]

If they know that that's a nesting site they'll probably be back. If you see them again you could photograph them and provide a more detailed description to the police. Also, is the any handy cctv in the neighbourhood? Nasty little tykes.

I found this old article from the Guardian which maybe informative: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2006/dec/11/g2.ruralaffairs

[uncleglen]

When you think you've heard or seen it all....

[bloodoranges]

what would they be stealing them for?!

[JohnL]

back in the day people used to collect them (make a pin hole and blow out the contents). Sure it was very frowned upon.

I don't know why I remember that.

edit: strike frowned upon and put illegal even then - https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/wildlife-and-the-law/wild-bird-crime/egg-collecting/

[Penguin68]

It only became illegal (and then not for all wild birds) in 1954 - I certainly remember when collecting eggs was still legal - and like many young people learned to blow eggs, although I never collected any of my own. Blowing hen's eggs is still a valuable skill if you like to decorate Easter Eggs to keep.