Gull eggs stolen for restaurants

Seagull eggs are being sold in gourmet restaurants

One of Northern Ireland's largest colonies of seabirds is in danger of being wiped out by thieves stealing eggs for the restaurant trade.

Up to 3,000 Black Headed Gulls and Mew Gulls eggs were stolen from the Copeland Islands last summer.

It is thought they are being bought by restaurants in the south-east of England for about £6 to £7 per egg.

Neville McKee of the Copeland Bird Observatory said the thefts had left the birds stock severely depleted.

"It is also particularly difficult to face a crime like this when every member of the observatory works here on a voluntary basis," he said.

"Their dedication and commitment has resulted in many successes for the observatory with a number of seabird species increasing in numbers."

The RSPB is working with the police and the Environment and Heritiage Service in an effort to warn off poachers ahead of this year's summer nesting season.

Dr James Robinson, conservation manager with the RSPB, said anyone caught stealing wild eggs could be fined up to £20,000.

"We don't know who is doing this and we don't know how they are doing it, but what we do know is thousands of these seabirds eggs have been taken in recent years," Dr Robinson said.

Sergeant David Gowdy of Donaghadee PSNI station said the islands had also been raided by egg thieves in 2003 and 2004.

"This crime is viewed by local police as a crime not only against the wildlife of the islands but also against the local community who hold the Copeland Islands dear to their hearts," he said.

"Volunteer staff at Copeland Bird Observatory have worked tirelessly to provide a safe habitat for many different species of birds and it is devastating to see their dedicated work ruined by callous thieves who seem to have no comprehension of the damage they are inflicting."