Several years ago the Jayhouse Lane Tree Sparrow Project was launched by The Calderdale Bird Conservation Group. A number of nest boxes were installed and Sean Grey monitored the boxes and ringed both the adults and chicks. This is a tiny population and the only known breeding site in Calderdale.
When Sean left for pastures new I took over the project and for several years I have been fitting both BTO rings and colour rings to the chicks. 2018 was the most successful breeding season, even so only 36 fledglings were ringed. Tree Sparrows are hanging on by a thread in Calderdale.
It is very sad that I have to report that 8 of the Tree Sparrow boxes on Jayhouse Lane and two feeders have been stolen. The total value of the items stolen is around £300. This was not an opportunist crime. Whoever stole the boxes needed both a ladder and a cordless drill to remove the boxes from the poles on which they were mounted. All crimes are despicable but the theft of these next boxes was an attack on our natural environment and the species that we are working hard to protect.
I have reported the incident to the Police and the Project will continue, despite this set back.
4 comments:
Such a shame to read this, I know how much time and effort has gone into this project from several different people. Perhaps we should be keeping an eye on eBay?
Terrible. Who would do something like this?
Very sorry to hear about this. I was only reading at the weekend about vandals smashing dozens of boxes on NT land at Dunstable.
It would seem likely they have been stolen to sell on, but I don't know if eBay is the ideal method. I would think a car boot sale would be a better bet myself.
Sunday morning car boot at Brighouse maybe...
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