‘Illegal’ kingfisher sent back to France after ‘breaching UK wildlife regulations’ by crossing the channel when it flew onto train in Calais
The bird was caught by wildlife expert Matt Ford after flying around in a panic as the train headed through the tunnel to Folkeston
A WILD bird that arrived in Kent trapped on a train from Calais had to be sent back — to avoid being deemed an “illegal migrant”.
The kingfisher flew onboard in France and was caught by wildlife expert Matt Ford after flying around in a panic as the train headed through the tunnel to Folkestone.
Once in the UK it was put in a box with airholes and some water, and returned to Calais on a later train so it could be released there.
Matt, 44, said the bird could not have been released at Folkestone because it would breach wildlife regulations.
He added: “There would have been major problems to have to worry about, like health certificates, to release it here.
“Sending it back avoided potential diseases being transmitted. We couldn’t just release it — it’s a French bird.
“Kingfishers are not necessarily migratory birds. We saved on bureaucratic paperwork sending it back on the train.”
Matt said there was also a fear the bird could have young in Calais that needed feeding.
Kingfishers are resident all year round in both England and France so do not have to migrate between countries.
Matt added: “In Calais by the Eurotunnel station there is a lot of marshland there.
“Because there are very few people there it is a great conservation area. The kingfisher would have lived there.”
