EGGS from endangered peregrine falcons have been stolen from a protected nest in Bolton.
Police are appealing for the public’s help after they believe the nest — located in an undisclosed area of Bolton — was raided by thieves.
The theft was noticed by conservationists who had recorded four eggs in the nest, which is one of only two peregrine falcon sites in the town. The second nest is at Bolton Town Hall.
Craig Bell is a wildlife volunteer for Greater Manchester Police and one of the experts entrusted with taking DNA samples of rare birds across the North West to monitor their development.
He said the nesting pair of protected birds had been staying at the secret site for about 10 years without much trouble.
“Four eggs were laid in early April but when we checked them last weekend, there was only one newly hatched chick and no other eggs,” said Mr Bell.
It is suspected that the eggs or the chicks have been stolen to order.
Mark Thomas, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ investigations unit, said it was more likely that the chicks had been stolen as it looked like the theft had occurred later in the season.
He said: “If they were stolen by egg collectors, they would take them at the start of the incubation period before the chick is developed. The eggs have no value, they are just taken as a trophy for their own collection.
“If it is a theft of chicks, then they could fetch anything from £300 to £500 for falconry.”
Some chicks are even sold abroad as British falcons are believed to be from pure stock.
County bird recorder Judith Smith said anyone found guilty of stealing the eggs could be facing a jail sentence because peregrine falcons are a schedule one protected species, along with golden eagles, kingfishers and barn owls.
She said: “This kind of theft is taken very seriously and people go to prison for it.”
Experts say there is a slim chance that the chicks were targeted by ravens but said theft was the more likely reason.
PC Mike Jennings, Bolton’s wildlife officer, said: “Theft of protected bird eggs is a very serious Crime and I would appeal to anybody with any information to get in touch with the police as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
