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| A Red Breasted Merganser. Picture: Wikimedia |
Morecambe Police are appealing for information from the public following reports that birds have been illegally shot on Glasson Marsh.
The offence is took place on 31st January 2012 when a group of three men were seen on Glasson Marsh shooting indiscriminately at birds.
Witnesses say one gull was shot and thrown up in the air repeatedly and used for target practice. Three shots were fired at a Red-Breasted Merganser, and a small bird was shot and killed near the water’s edge.
Police urging people to be vigilant and are appealing for any witnesses to the incident or with anybody with any further information to come forward.
Lancaster District Birdwatching Society and Morecambe Bay Wildfowling Association have both condemned the incident.
“Glasson Marsh is a unique location and is popular with bird watchers and widely used by legitimate wildfowlers,” said PC Antony Marsh. “We are working closely with these groups to identify these irresponsible and cruel individuals.
“I would remind people that Gulls and Red-Breasted Mergansers are not lawful quarry species. Lancashire Constabulary takes wildlife crime very seriously and we will take positive action against such offenders under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.”
The three men are described as white, one man is around 6 feet tall and the other two were shorter at about 5ft 8inches tall.
The taller man was dressed in full camouflage and one of the other men was wearing a camouflage jacket and blue trousers, possibly overalls.
• Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101. People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.