A BIRD enthusiast has criticised the country's leading bird charity after overturning his conviction for a wildlife offence.

Michael Davidson was found guilty last August by magistrates at Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, of having equipment that he intended to use to disturb rare birds of prey, such as golden eagles and peregrine falcons, that are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

But last night he was celebrating after Durham Crown Court quashed his conviction, two-year conditional discharge and £500 costs order. Recorder Felicity Davies also ordered the return of computer equipment, photographs and abseiling equipment seized in a raid on his house in 1999.

Mr Davidson was an avid bird egg collector until it was made illegal in 1982 and from then toured the country photographing the nests of bird of prey in remote areas.

He was given a suspended prison sentence in 2001 for selling the eggs of endangered species in 1996 when another collector bought his collection.

The court heard that Royal Society for the Protection of Birds investigators raided his house with police and found "meticulous and detailed'' diaries of his bird watching trips on computer and in print.

But Mr Davidson, a former miner, told the court a heart attack in 1998 meant he could no longer visit to wild and remote locations although he still retained his interest in birds.

Recorder Davies said the prosecution had not made its case out and that Mr Davidson was never asked in interview whether he planned to visit more nests in the future.

But Mr Davidson, of Lanton Street, Houghton-le-Spring, said the prosecution was a waste of public money.