Eggs raid on island costs ex-solicitor a £4,000 fine

A RETIRED solicitor was fined more than £4,000 for taking wild birds’ eggs from nests on the Orkney Islands.

At Kirkwall Sheriff Court, William Beaton, 73, yesterday pled guilty to wildlife crimes carried out in late May and early June this year.

Beaton, of Devon, was spotted collecting eggs on a beach at Furrowend, Shapinsay.

The court heard that when challenged by the landowner, he revealed he had an arctic tern egg which he was told to replace.

He was detained by police and when he got back to Kirkwall on June 4, officers found two rock dove eggs in his possession.

A search of his car found a further eight eggs – including three great skua eggs and an extending spoon, which was used to collect eggs.

As well as a fine of £4,200, the eggs and extending spoon were forfeited.

The eggs will now go to the Department of Natural Sciences at the National Museum of Scotland.

Gary Aitken, Procurator Fiscal, Wildlife and Environment, said: ‘Scotland is home to a wide range of wild bird species and all are protected by law.

‘It is an offence to intentionally take the egg of any wild bird as it can have serious implications for their conservation and habitat.

‘We hope this prosecution will serve as a message to others who participate in the illegal practice of collecting wild bird eggs that this type of offending will not be tolerated.’

Ian Thomson, head of investigations at RSPB Scotland, said: ‘This archaic hobby has no place in Scotland.’