Inverness man pleads guilty to illegal egg trading

During an appearance at Inverness Sheriff Court today [15th March 2013], Keith Liddell of Inverness pleaded guilty to thirteen charges, eleven of which related to the trading, or offering to trade, in eggs of a number of protected or threatened species, including Peregrine, Egyptian Vulture and Lesser Kestrel. The 53-year-old also pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful possession of 338 eggs including a number of Scottish rare breeding birds, such as Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Osprey and many others.

Ian Thomson, Head of Investigations at RSPB Scotland, said: "This is among the biggest egg trading investigations that RSPB has ever been involved with. The illegal and outdated practice of egg collecting can have a devastating impact on the future population of vulnerable or slow-breeding species, such as birds of prey and divers."

Slavonian Grebe, Norway (Photo: Terje Kolaas)

Today's outcome follows an investigation that started in 2009 when a County Durham man was convicted of similar offences. After examining thousands of emails and other material seized from that case, police and the RSPB discovered and exposed a network of individuals involved in trading birds' eggs via the internet. The practice was uncovered as far afield as the US and Scandinavia. As part of this initial enquiry, investigators were alerted to the activity of Mr Liddell. On 24th June 2009, Northern Constabulary searched his home under warrant and found a collection of over 2,300 birds' eggs hidden behind a bookcase in the loft. Email correspondence was also discovered that contained offers to trade eggs with individuals in the USA.

Mr Liddell will return to Inverness Sheriff Court for sentencing on 9th April 2013.