The phones at RSPB HQ have been buzzing since Wednesday’s episode of The Archers on Radio 4.
For the minority who do not tune in religiously every night at 7 pm, the programme saw David Archer and his daughter Pip paying a visit to a barn owl nest on their farm to take pictures of the eggs.
Mrs owl takes flight as they approach and Pip shins up a ladder with her camera.
As several listeners have pointed out, this is disturbance of a bird listed on Schedule One of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, or in laymen’s terms, birds that are ‘specially protected’.
You need a licence for that, David. That or a willingness to do six months at Her Majesty’s pleasure or to stump up the £5,000 fine.
Well, we have spoken to the Archers, or rather to the nice people who broadcast them to the nation. They assure us they are aware of the law pertaining to barn owls and that David and Pip’s position will be made clear as the plot unfolds.
So, keep listening then. All together now: dah dah dah de dah dah dah, dah de dah de dah dah...
Glad to read this - was rather concend when I heard the episode the other night. Will listen with interest over the coming weeks to see how this resolves itself.