£1,000 reward: police search for rare egg collection

October 2010: Nottingham egg collector Aaron Kisiel received a 12-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, following a previous four-day trial earlier this month at Nottingham Magistrates Court.

Kisiel of Hanley Avenue, Bramcote, Nottingham was raided by Nottinghamshire Police and RSPB Investigators in May 2009 after being seen acting suspicious at several rare bird breeding sites in Derbyshire.

Officers found 30 illegal birds eggs at his home and a large number of items described as being ‘egg collecting paraphernalia.'

Kisiel was found guilty of possessing items capable of being used to take and possess wild birds eggs. Vehicles, binoculars and cameras belonging to Kisiel were listed in the charges and have been confiscated by the court.

Sedge warbler and cuckoo eggs found in raid

During the trial, the court heard evidence that sedge warbler and cuckoo eggs found at Kisiel's house matched those found on photographs, also found at the house, showing the eggs in the nest before being taken. It was accepted by the court that Kisiel had taken eggs as recently as 2009 and that his diaries showed he had amassed a large collection of eggs over the past 20 years.

RSPB and Nottinghamshire Police are offering a reward of £1000 leading to the discovery of the remaining eggs, thought to have been hidden by Kisiel.

RSPB investigations officer Mark Thomas said: ‘Aaron Kisiel is a very active egg collector who has meticulously documented the finding and taking of thousands of birds eggs, many from rare species and some even from nature reserves.

‘Kisiel has targeted birds including peregrine falcons, goshawks, hobbies and woodlarks. Someone out there knows where these eggs have been hidden and we urge them to come forward in the strictest confidence'.

RSPB Investigations can be contacted on 01767 693087 or Nottinghamshire Police on 0300 3000 99 99.