SONGBIRDS BEING SHOT BY STONE-AND-CATAPULT IN LEAFY GRIMSBY GARDEN

                                                                   

At risk - a young robin cowers in fear

SONGBIRDS such as robins and greenfinches are being shot by catapult in a leafy part of Grimsby.

Sometimes they are being maimed or killed as they roost at night after being detected by torchlight.

The activities in the garden of a house in Augusta Street have horrified neighbours.

According to eyewitnesses, the householders - a couple - gather stones to fire at the birds, either soon after dawn or after nightfall when they uses torches to locate the sleeping birds.

"It's really upsetting,"said one. "It is atrociously cruel.

"Some of the people who live in this area are elderly.

"During the pandemic, they have been unable to get out out of their homes as such as they might like, so watching the birds and listening to their dawn chorus has been one of their few pleasures.

"What's been happening throughout summer has caused a lot of distress and upset."

Another issue is that misdirected stones can put members of the public at risk.

Damage is already said to have been caused to the windows of properties and parked cars.

Why are the birds being targeted? It is thought the catapult couple have taken umbrage at droppings being left on a newly-installed pergola.

The police have been notified, but it is understood no action has been taken.

The Grimsby News says: Urban songbirds have enough to put up what with the ever-present threat of cats, road traffic, trees being lopped or felled and hedge-strimmers frightening them into deserting nests. But deliberately catapulting them with stones seems the height of callous cruelty. This activity constitutes wildlife crime, and the apparently casual attitude of police is regrettable. At the very least, a support officer should be having a 'quiet word' with the catapult couple.