‘Improvements’ could be made to Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall aviary following burglary

‘Improvements’ could be made to the aviary at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall following a burglary earlier this year.

A number of birds were reported missing following the incident.

Coun Jane King raised concerns at the recent South Holland District Council meeting.

“I’ve been informed by several members of the public that there’s quite a few birds in the aviaries at Ayscoughfee dead, dying etc,” Coun King said.

“I want to be sure that this isn’t due to neglect and, with that happening, were South Holland District Council compliant with the rules and regulations we get from Defra regarding bird flu?”

Coun Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Communities says she and Coun Gary Taylor have since spoken to Coun King in a bid to understand what improvements could be made.

“A burglary was reported to Lincolnshire Police in April following the discovery of damage which led to birds missing from the aviary at Ayscoughfee Hall,” Coun Carter said.

“Following the council meeting last week, Coun Taylor and I have spoken to Coun King and she has suggested some improvements which we will look into further.

"South Holland District Council will review what can be learnt following the incident and plans for the aviary going forward.”

Responding to Coun King at the meeting, Coun Taylor said: “I was aware of this incident at Ayscoughfee where some birds escaped and that was being investigated,” Coun Gary Taylor told the chamber the May full council meeting.

“Previously to that, they were looked after and there was always good health maintained.

“But we do need to maintain that facility and investigate whether there’s the correct number in there.

“It’s a serious concern there and there is some debate regarding that and whether it’s an appropriate venue and location these days to house those particular birds, as some people see it as an attraction.

“That debate needs to take place and we need to come to a conclusion on that particular area.”

In April a social media post by Riverside Veterinary Practice announced that some of the exotic birds from the gardens were missing as a result of a break-in at the site and requested anyone who spotted the animals would report it immediately.

Lincolnshire Police also confirmed an incident at the venue stating: “Incident 97 relates to a burglary at Ayscoughfee Hall, believed to have happened at some point around lunchtime on Friday, March 31 and 7.25am on Saturday, April 1.

However, no further action was taken, a police spokesperson adding: “The incident was closed and the victim updated with the decision not to continue with the investigation."

Work on the aviary was among the £375,000 spent by South Holland District Council in improvements to Ayscoughfee Gardens throughout last year.