Crows wrecking rounds at popular Dorset club

Golfers on a Dorset course whose balls kept disappearing from the fairway have identified the culprit – a crow!

The mischievous birdie has been spotted at Parley Golf Centre swiping the balls and flying off with them.

Manager Daryl Dampney went out with his binoculars and has spotted a number of the crows.

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Recently the course was expanded near to a wooded area, which is where it is thought the pilferer lives.

It is believed that the thief is most likely a Carrion crow and experts say it is probably mistaking the balls for eggs.

“We had a number of reports of balls going missing on various locations around the course,” explained Dampney. “Then someone spotted a crow flying off with a ball so we knew who was responsible.

“There is a great deal of wildlife on and around the course, but this is the first time something like this has happened.

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“We are letting our members and those who just turn up and play know about the crow.

“There is a number of the birds that seem to live in the woods so I expect that is where all the balls are.”

Tony Whitehead, a spokesman for the RSPB, said: “This does happen occasionally.

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“It is likely that a single bird is responsible and is mistaking the balls for eggs that it wants to eat. Crows will fly off with food and store it in a larder for later.

“It is most likely a carrion crow and the way to stop it happening is to use fluorescent balls for a time.”