A "WHISTLEBLOWER" who reported the destruction of protected birds' nests at the Hereford quarry where he worked has been praised by a judge.
Hereford Magistrates Court heard how about 30 sand martin nests were deliberately destroyed at the RMC Quarry just outside the city.
Assistant quarry manager Robert Sims admitted two charges under the Wildlife and Countryside Act that covered the destruction of the nests in May.
Sims, aged 29, from Coleford, was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £65 costs. He claimed he had no knowledge, experience or training as to his responsibilities in relation to protected birds.
But Judge Bruce Morgan said Sims' actions were "deliberate, disgraceful and mean".
The judge added companies would get away with such actions if it was not for "public-spirited people" like RMC employee Darren Jones, of Hereford, who reported the destruction.
"Flora and fauna in this country get a tough enough time through the actions of man," said Judge Morgan.
Doreece Gunter, prosecuting, said police and investigators for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds swooped on the quarry in response to Mr Jones' report.
Sims, she said, told of using a digger to destroy nests migratory sand martins had burrowed into a sand stockpile and claimed to have made cursory checks on the birds.
Ms Gunter said investigators found evidence of an attempt to "cover up" the destruction before they arrived by adding wet sand to an existing pile.
John Turner, for Sims, disputed any attempt at a cover-up saying the sand pile was worked every day in the operations of a "busy cement quarry".
Sims, said Mr Turner, had acted out of ignorance and RMC had since ensured staff were aware of their responsibilities towards wildlife and the environment.
Judge Morgan said "natural instinct" should have at least suggested to Sims that the nests of migratory birds were protected.
n Sand martins are small migratory birds that spend winter in Africa and return to the UK in late March to nest within sand faces and riverbanks.
Sand extraction quarries are a favoured nesting location, and the birds will often return to the same nest location year after year.
Sand martins, their nests, eggs and young are protected by the Wildlife and Country Act 1981.
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