Territorial birds - dubbed Sheryl Crow, Russell Crowe and Jeremy Crowbyn - take advantage of lockdown at Northumberland café

A gang of three crows are leading a turf war at a Northumberland nature reserve.
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The carrion crows – dubbed Sheryl Crow, Russell Crowe and Jeremy Crowbyn – have taken advantage of the closure of Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre, near Amble.

When the centre’s Lookout Café closed in March due to lockdown, the trio suddenly realised that all the humans had gone and they could fly up to the four large windows and have a look in.

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Unfortunately, the highly territorial crows didn’t realise they were actually watching their own reflections in the glass and set about getting in.

Crows have damaged window frames at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre.Crows have damaged window frames at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Crows have damaged window frames at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre.

Not content with pulling out the rubber seals, they moved on to taking huge chunks out the wooden frames which were only installed three years ago.

In an attempt to stop them, Northumbria Wildlife Trust estates officer Anthony Johnston covered the exceptionally large windows in plastic netting which was promptly removed in record time and triumphantly tossed away.

Undeterred, he moved on to wire netting which they manipulated off the window with their strong beaks and dropped onto the grass,

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Now, he is bringing out the big guns with sheets of board nailed to what’s left of the window surrounds.

Not content with pulling out the rubber seals, the crows moved on to taking chunks out the wooden frames and removed wire netting.Not content with pulling out the rubber seals, the crows moved on to taking chunks out the wooden frames and removed wire netting.
Not content with pulling out the rubber seals, the crows moved on to taking chunks out the wooden frames and removed wire netting.

Once the Lookout Café is re-opened, they will need extensive and expensive repairs.

Anthony said: “With the window boarded up it looks like we’ve had looters.”

“They even send me off home with their noisy ‘kraa’ call and I respond with a quick salute.”

A message from the Editor:

A carrion crow.A carrion crow.
A carrion crow.

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