Man, 71, admits illegally hoarding thousands of wild bird eggs

A man described as having an “obsession with collecting wild birds’ eggs” has admitted illegally hoarding almost 3,000 of them.

Daniel Lingham, of Newton St Faith, was captured on a wildlife trap camera stealing two eggs from a nightjar nest in Holt Lowes, Norfolk Police said.

The force said the 71-year-old was identified by his distinctive walking stick which is seen in the footage, shot on June 9 last year, and a subsequent search of his home revealed the extent of the hoard.

A total of 2,995 eggs were found within the home, including 2,429 eggs from native birds – protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act – in his bedroom.