The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Anger after vandals damage birdwatching hide at nature reserve
CRIME: Those responsible for targeting RSPB shelter are branded a ‘disgrace’
Vandals trashed a birdwatching hide at a popular Perthshire beauty spot.
The Burleigh hide at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve was damaged in an attack on Tuesday.
Wooden planks on the exterior of the structure were snapped, windows were smashed, graffiti was scrawled on the walls and a trail of litter, beer tins and cigarette butts were left behind.
Police say the incident happened between last Thursday and Monday this week and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The site is run by the RSPB Scotland. Rangers say the coronavirus regulations mean visitors to the loch should not be making unnecessary contact with the hides by going inside them.
The team have now boarded up the entrance.
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It is really upsetting to see that there are a few people who think it is acceptable. RSPB SPOKESMAN
A spokesman for the reserve said: “Unfortunately we have had a lot of vandalism to our hide at Burleigh.
“We are unable to lock our hides but please remember that they should not be used just now due to the risk of exposure to Covid-19 on hard surfaces.
“It is really upsetting to see that there are a few people who think it is acceptable to use the hides in this manner. Any information would be greatly received.”
Anyone who can help should get in touch with the team at the reserve, or police.
The vandalism was reported to police by Kinross-shire councillor Willie Robertson.
The Liberal Democrat branded the culprits’ actions “an absolute disgrace”. “What a mess,” he said.
“It’s a really well-used bird-watching hide. It’s just so sad to see that people have done something so hateful to the place where they live.
“It’s taken a long time to help make Loch Leven the place it is and I cannot understand why anybody would do this.”
It isn’t the first time rangers at the reserve have had to clean up after vandals.
At the end of July last year, criminal damage to a hide at Loch Leven Nature Trail, Kinross was reported to police.