A TRAVELLER whose hobby was snaring protected wild birds has been fined after being caught using hedgerow traps.

Alan Smith pleaded guilty to eight wildlife offences and was handed a six month community order with ten day rehabilitation activity and ordered to pay a total of £395 by magistrates in Scarborough.

The 59-year-old of Clifton Caravan Site in York set the traps while travelling to Seamer Horse Fair.

North Yorkshire Police said its wildlife crime officer PC Graham Bilton found a two-chambered wire cage trap at a camp at Gate Helmsley on the outskirts of York on Friday, July 3. It had been placed in a hedge and set with a male goldfinch in one chamber to lure another bird inside.

PC Bilton said: “The purpose of the trap and bird is to attract other wild birds of the same species drawn by the visual presence and singing of the ‘call bird’ inside.

“Any other wild bird approaching then activates the trap door which springs shut.”

Officers seized the trap and bird, later identified as a recently-caught wild goldfinch.

When PC Bilton visited another traveller site in Scagglethorpe, near Malton, days later he recognised cars that had been at Gate Helmsley – and found another similar trap in a hedge, containing another recently caught male goldfinch.

Mr Smith was arrested on suspicion of committing wildlife offences and, following an interview involving the RSPCA, was charged with eight offences including possessing a wild bird, taking a wild bird, using a decoy to take a wild bird, and using a trap for a wild bird.

Both goldfinches were successfully released back into the wild.

PC Bilton added: “It is important that those responsible for committing wildlife crimes are brought to justice. This type of crime can have a dramatic effect on local fauna and flora, yet often go unreported and are difficult to investigate.

“The trapping, possession and sale of wild finches are all offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, but still remain a widespread problem in the UK.”

Inspector Geoffrey Edmond, RSPCA national wildlife coordinator, said: "Finches such as the Goldfinch remain sought-after for their colour and song - they are fully protected and suffer much stress when captured in this way and rendered into a miserable life in captivity.

“This case highlights the success of the RSPCA working in close partnership with North Yorkshire Police."