Yobs chop down osprey nest with a chainsaw

Cruel vandals armed with a chainsaw chopped down an osprey nest a day after the protected bird laid its first egg of the season.  

The platform was chopped down overnight, sending the nest plunging into the waters below at Llyn Brenig reservoir in Denbigh Moors, north Wales in a 'horrendous wildlife crime.' 

The site of the attack lies within the Llyn Brenig Osprey project which began in 2013, with the first ospreys hatched in the area in more than 100 years born in 2018. 

It is managed by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, and is the fifth breeding site for the fish-eating birds in Wales. 

Police say they believe the culprit had a strong motive to rid the area of the rare birds and an investigation is now underway to find the person responsible. 

Graeme Cotterill, of North Wales Wildlife Trust called the crime 'horrendous' and said efforts are now being made to ensure the rare birds have another nest. 

'This is a horrendous wildlife crime,' he said. 'We appeal to all members of the public if you know anything at all about what happened here please do report it to the police using the crime number on our website.'