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Time Team Kill Baby Birds!

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by Stoggler (U14387762) on Monday, 7th March 2011

  Apologies for (the very tongue-in-cheek) The Sun-style headline - I know it's over the top, but bet it's got your attention!
  
  Anyway, one for the archaeologists amongst you - starting this thread was in response to yesterday's Time Team, where Tony Robinson et al were conducting a dig in a wooded area somewhere in the North East of England.
  
  To enable them to dig trenches, they had to cut down some young trees. The area looked like a recently wooded area. What struck me was that singing chaffinches were clearly audible, and along with the trees being in full leaf showed that it must have been in full breeding season.
  
  I doubt the trees they cut down were old enough to support nests, but I was wondering if such archaeological activities could have an effect on the local bird and other wildlife.
  
  Is there anyone here with archaeological experience? Do archaeologists know of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for example? Do they take into consideration local habitats when conducting digs, and the time of year (such as whether it's the breeding season or not)?
  
  Just curious more than anything really.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Stoggler (U14387762) on Monday, 7th March 2011

  Hmm, the OP started off rather humourously but I have since rewatched the programme, but in full this time.
  
  What I missed first time was that about 20 minutes in, they disturb a nest as we see them picking up eggs off the ground and holding them in someone's hand. Now it's possible that the nest had long been abandoned by the parent birds, but it's also possible that TT just destroyed a nest. If (and I emphasise that word) the latter, then that is a serious breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the team should be facing prosecution.
  
  Please someone tell me that Time Team are not that crass and irresponsible!

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by giraffe47 (U4048491) on Monday, 7th March 2011

  I saw that show too, and and remember thinking the same thing - anyone else descending of a nice bit of woodland, and gaily taking a chainsaw to it would be massacred by the 'Friends of the lesser-spotted tit-willow', or somebody!
  
  Can this postpone Tony Robinson's elevation to the Sainthood?
  

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