In Scotland, a “Row erupts over “destruction” of protected birds’ nest at quarry site”:
Wildlife police are probing claims that a protected birds’ nest was deliberately destroyed at a Perthshire quarry.
Concerned residents at Blackford raised the alarm after a known roost for rare sand martins disappeared near Milton of Panholes.
The nest is on land which is earmarked for a new quarrying operation.
It is illegal to destroy, damage, take, obstruct or interfere with any wild bird nest while it is being built or in use. The penalties can be up to a maximum £5,000 fine and/or six months’ jail.
RSPB Scotland has also raised concerns to planning officers that there was no mention of the sand martin colony in paperwork submitted to the local authority.
Photo evidence of the birds’ nest has been passed to officers.
It wouldn't be the first time that sand martins have been harmed at quarry sites:
In 2006, the owner of another quarry in Perthshire was fined £400 for killing up to 40 young sand martins after bulldozing their colony.
In 2005, a quarry company was fined £3,000 after pleading guilty to the destruction of 20 sand martin nests at a quarry in Cumbria.
In 2003, an assistant quarry manager was fined £6,000 for deliberately destroying 30 sand martin nests at a quarry near Hereford.
Sand Martin #Highlands #Scotland @BBCSpringwatch @Natures_Voice @wildscotland @ScotsMagazine @BBCEarth pic.twitter.com/z8Tus3nuh2— Pete Walkden (@PeteWalkden1973) May 9, 2017
