Question about Little Tern colony vandalism - "Sand Dogs"

["Bruce Roubin" <>]

Sandy,

This specific phenonemon of vandalism was not invented in Oz, as unfortunately it mimics similar behaviour in the UK.

BBC news on June 6, 2002 reported that vandals wrecked the largest colony of little terns in the UK.

Electric fences protecting the site on the Norfolk coast (Great Yarmouth North Denes beach) were ripped out of the ground, nests were wrecked and eggs smashed in the overnight attack.

The rampage sent the little terns, among the rarest breeding sea birds, scattering at the height of the breeding season.

Two thirds of the 90 nests were destroyed in the attack which a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of birds said maust be malicious.

As the vandals struck, more than 300 little terns took flight, leaving about 25 birds on the ground.

 

Kind Regards

Bruce Roubin

 

-----Original Message-----
From: [ On Behalf Of Sandy Cash Jr
Sent: Thursday, 15 January 2004 5:16
To: birding-aus
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Question about Little Tern colony vandalism

Hi all,

I hope this is question is neither unwelcome nor off-topic, but as a visitor to Australia, I'm curious after reading the recent discussions what motivates people to vandalize these particular nests so actively? Is there a history of antagonism between wildlife agencies enforcing colony protections in Oz and people want to maintain broader use policies on the beaches? I get the feeling, and please correct me if I'm mistaken, that these aren't onetime occurrences, it seems that you all see these incidents with some degree of regularity. Is that true?

Honestly just curious and not looking to inflame anyone's emotions,

-Sandy

--
Sandy Cash
Software Engineer/Technical Webmaster
Special Events Web Hosting Solutions Group, IBM

Office: (919) 254-6482 t/l 444
Mobile: (919) 308-8748

"Even if you don't admit it, the time for change is here and here we are, we're just for you!" - Funkadelic