KIND-hearted nature lovers have replaced feeders stolen from a Durham Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
Thieves stole ten feeders, worth more than £150, from Low Barns Nature Reserve, near Witton le Wear, at the start of the month.
Cliff Evans, chairman of Darlington Wildlife Group, read about the theft and went to RSPB Saltholme, on Teesside, to buy some new feeders for the reserve.
When he told staff at Saltholme about the thefts, they donated some feeders as well.
Craig Best, Durham Wildlife Trust Officer based at Low Barns, said: “The feeding station helps birds find food when the winter weather is harsh so to have the feeders replaced is terrific news.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of the donors.
“A theft from a charity is particularly mean-spirited, and even more so in this case as it is volunteers who maintain the feeding station.
“These donations in the season of goodwill have restored our faith in human nature. It is fantastic to see different organisations coming together to help wildlife.”
The most common species using the feeding station include various tits, nuthatch, goldfinch and greater-spotted woodpecker, while rare birds such as the goldcrest and green woodpecker also use it.
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