Stuffed bird traffickers in court

Michael Barclay and John Metcalf. Picture by Jason Bye

A wealthy owner of a stately home has denied illegally buying stuffed birds of prey from a former museum worker who was a skilled taxidermist.

At Norwich Crown Court Michael Barclay, 68, of Hanworth Hall, Norfolk, denied eight charges relating to nine birds.

John Metcalf, who worked at Leicester Museum, denies selling the birds without the required licences.

Both men committed offences under laws protecting endangered species, Andrew Bird, prosecuting, told the jury.

When police and the RSPB searched Mr Barclay's home in May 2004 they discovered a stuffed pair of peregrine falcons, two barn owls, a tawny owl, a sparrowhawk, a long-eared owl, a little owl and a short-eared owl.

'Substantial wealth'

The court heard documents indicated Mr Barclay and Mr Metcalf had been trading the stuffed birds.

Mr Barclay denies eight counts of illegally purchasing prohibited specimens of birds between June 1997 and May 2004, and Mr Metcalf, 66, of Billesdon, Leicestershire, denies eight counts of selling prohibited specimens between the same dates.

Mr Bird opened his case by describing Mr Barclay as a man of "substantial wealth" and a collector of stuffed animals and birds.

Mr Metcalf on the other hand was an ornithologist and taxidermist.

"The pair had a symbiotic business relationship which fed and supported their mutual enthusiasms," Mr Bird told the court.

"Mr Metcalf had professional expertise, but lacked funds.

"Mr Barclay had the funds and found in Mr Metcalf a taxidermist who could supply him with the kind of stuffed specimens he liked to have around him at Hanworth Hall."

The case continues.