Here's an interesting article that was posted to birdchat.  Thought  
mobirders might enjoy it.

**********************
Sherry McCowan
Saint Louis, Missouri
[log in to unmask]


Begin forwarded message:

> From: Arpit Deomurari <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: May 30, 2006 11:43:11 PM CDT
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [BIRDCHAT] Prolific egg thief dies in 40ft fall from tree
> Reply-To: Arpit Deomurari <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Sorry for cross posting, but interesting article in times uk.
>
>
>
> Prolific egg thief dies in 40ft fall from tree
>
>
>
> I thought some may be interested in this who may not be aware that  
> this practice still goes on. A few of us have had the "pleasure" of  
> meeting Mr. Watson (mine was in Aviemore cop shop back in 90 or 91  
> after the "dissappearance" of a clutch of osprey eggs from a nearby  
> nest). I dont know what the moral is. Maybe dont climb trees when  
> you're in your sixties. Allan
>
> Article in The Times (UK), May 27
>
> file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/zssduser/Local%20Settings/ 
> Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/KDU7S5CD/0,,175-2199206,00% 
> 5B1%5D.html
>
> A red kite: the eggs of this raptor were a target for Colin Watson.  
> The practice has been illegal since 1981
> (BEN GURR)
>
>
> Prolific egg thief dies in 40ft fall from tree
> By Alan Hamilton
>
> BRITAIN'S most notorious illegal collector of rare birds' eggs has  
> fallen to his death after losing his footing as he climbed a tree  
> in a Yorkshire wood.
>
> Colin Watson, 63, a father of three from Selby, was three-quarters  
> of the way up a 40ft larch near Campsall, Doncaster, when he  
> slipped and fell. It is not known which species he was hoping to  
> add to his collection that proved his downfall. His family said  
> last night that he had climbed the tree only to take photographs.  
> But to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Watson was  
> public enemy No 1. He had a string of convictions spanning 14 years  
> for an activity that has been illegal under the Wildlife and  
> Countryside Act since 1981. He last appeared in court ten years ago.
>
> The former power station worker travelled the country in search of  
> additions to his collection. He is believed to have specialised in  
> the eggs of birds of prey and rare crows. The height of his infamy  
> was when he travelled to Loch Garten in Scotland and took a  
> chainsaw to a tree that contained the nest - and probably the eggs  
> - of an osprey.
>
> After a raid on his home in 1985, the RSPB found more than 2,200  
> eggs in his house and in that of his disabled son. Specimens  
> included golden eagle, osprey, sparrowhawk and red kite. The  
> society confiscated most of them.
>
> Brought before Selby magistrates in April 1985, charged with  
> illegally possessing the collection, Watson claimed that all but 16  
> of his eggs had been collected before the introduction of the 1981  
> Act that banned the practice.
>
> He was still found guilty and fined £1,700 after the court doubted  
> whether the data cards he produced listing the date and place of  
> each egg's collection were genuine. He successfully appealed, but  
> did not get his collection back.
>
> Graham Madge, of the RSPB, said: "He was more than a little bit of  
> a nuisance to us. He had been an active collector for many years.  
> There are a number of very eager egg collectors and he was one of  
> them; they target the nests of some of the most rare breeding birds  
> and steal their eggs. This is a tragic incident and we would not  
> have wanted him to end his career in such a terrible way."
>
> South Yorkshire Police said that there are no suspicious  
> circumstances surrounding the fall. The coroner has been informed  
> and an inquest will be held.
>
> WATSON'S RECORD
>
> 1980, Inverness Taking golden eagle eggs. Fined £400
>
>
> 1982, Shap Disturbance of peregrine falcons. Fined £250
>
>
> 1985, Selby Possession of eggs. Fined £1,700
>
>
> 1988, Perth Possesion of equipment capable of committing an offence  
> and attempting to take golden eagle eggs. Fined £2,000
>
>
> 1990, Lerwick Possession of equipment capable of committing an  
> offence and possession of two snipe eggs. Fined £1,300
>
> -Arpit Deomurari
>
> Naturalist And Consultant - (Networking and GIS)
> 1-2 Naveneet Soc. Opp. Pankaj Soc
> Vikasgruh Road, Nr. Gayatri School
> Jamnagar - 361008
> Gujarat(INDIA)
>
> E-Mail:- [log in to unmask]
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>                     +91-9998393327
>
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