After reports were made of visitors having sex in bird hides, birdwatchers in Lincolnshire have been told to report any untoward behaviour to the police.
After reports were made of visitors having sex in bird hides, birdwatchers in Lincolnshire have been told to report any untoward behaviour to the police.
The misuse of the structures, which remain unlocked all night, came to light after a bird spotter heard loud sexual sounds coming from a nearby hide in the south of the county.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Someone complained that they thought they had heard someone having sex in the bird hides in south Lincolnshire," the Telegraph quoted Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust spokesman Rachel Shaw as saying.
"There's certain things that happen at nature reserves that really shouldn't.
"It's not a huge, huge problem, I hope this is just a one-off incident.
"On top of that, we've had people cycling, horse riding, and even setting the grass on fire.
"People need to remembered that when they visit nature reserves, there are regulations in place to protect the habitat and environment.
"Nature reserves are for quiet enjoyment only and anything else could possibly disturb or cause harm to the animals that live there," she said.
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust has asked visitors to remember that there are rules to be observed while bird watching, that noise can disturb the animals, and that the hides are for "quiet enjoyment only".
Lincoln Police said they were not aware of an increase of reports regarding public sex acts.
"Up and down the country, hides are used for all sorts of things like drinking dens, and places for teens to hang out," PC Nick Willey, a local wildlife crime officer, said.
"The best thing to do is report this kind of behaviour to the police, the wildlife trust or any warden monitoring the wildlife hide.
"That way if these instances become regular occurrences, local officers can pay more attention," he added.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
