Eggs theft threatens survival of rare seabird

Eggs plundered from the nests of rare seabirds in Northern Ireland could be ending up on dining tables in top class restaurants in Britain, it was claimed today.

John Milburne, Wildlife Officer at the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), believes a lucrative black market could be threatening the breeding grounds of the Arctic Tern.

Last year thousands of eggs were stolen from nesting grounds on the Copeland Islands, off the Co Down coast, where special security measures are being introduced in a bid to thwart new raids.

As part of the measures the eggs are to be marked with a substance which experts can use to help identify the robbers.

Mr Milburne pointed out that a legitimate market in gulls’ eggs operates in England, where people under licence collect and pass them on to legal dealers.

However, Mr Milburne believes that terns’ eggs, which are protected, could have been sold illegally.

“We suspect that there might be a black market but we don’t have any firm evidence.

“Because such a huge number of eggs disappeared in Northern Ireland, that is really the area we suspect they have gone down.

“Gulls’ eggs, which are similar, are sold for human consumption and they are a delicacy, which would fetch quite a high price in London restaurants,” he added.

Michelin-starred chef Robbie Millar, who owns Shanks Restaurant in Crawfordsburn, Co Down, said he has never been approached by anyone selling gulls eggs.

“It is not something I have ever seen on a menu. We use quail eggs which are farmed. I wouldn’t even be able to identify a gull’s egg,” he said.

“If somebody came to the back door of the restaurant selling any such product we would send them on their way,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Milburne warned the Arctic Tern population could disappear from the islands unless the robbers are stopped this year.

“There were very few young birds bred last year. Terns are very fickle in their choice of breeding sites and there aren’t as many pairs here at the moment.

“If it happened again this year, it is quite possible that the terns would decide that this island is not for them and go elsewhere.”

The EHS has been working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in a bid to stop nests being robbed.

“This year we have arranged for all the seabird eggs on the island to be uniquely marked using a product called Smartwater, which can be detected and identified as to its source,” said Mr Milburne.

The EHS has also appointed a site guardian who will be present on the island during the breeding period.

The PSNI has also pledged to vigorously investigate and prosecute any offences under the Wildlife Order.

Those convicted of tampering with the nests of Arctic Terns face a maximum fine of £5,000 (€7,500) per egg.

If the eggs go missing again, the EHS will also contact police wildlife liaison officers in England in a bid to trace them.

“Whilst we would dearly love to catch those responsible, it is more important to ensure that the eggs aren’t taken this year,” said Mr Milburne.