A NATURE reserve owner has said he will ban public open days and install extensive CCTV until thieves who stole endangered birds over the bank holiday weekend are bought to justice.

Russell Claydon

A NATURE reserve owner has said he will ban public open days and install extensive CCTV until thieves who stole endangered birds are brought to justice.

A number of red-breasted geese were found to be missing from Daws Hall Nature Reserve at Lamarsh, near Sudbury on Saturday.

It is not the first time the rare birds have been taken from the beauty spot and has now prompted owner Major Iain Grahame to take drastic action.

He has said no further open days will take place from June 14, until the culprits are found. Extensive CCTV surveillance will also be installed and the final public event, The Garden Open Day on June 14, is likely to take place with visitor's car registration plates being marked down.

Other measures to protect the birds include tightening up the routes available for school visits.

Mr Grahame said: “I am sickened by this theft of valuable and endangered birds in the middle of their breeding season.

“This is the third time that this has happened, always following open days here.

“All these restrictions will be lifted if and when the guilty parties are apprehended and brought to justice.

“Somebody out there knows who is responsible, and I would urge them to help the cause of conservation by immediately getting in touch with the police.”

He declined to specify how many birds were taken, but said it was “several”.

Anyone with information is asked to call Essex police.