A man who admitted stealing two birds of prey from a nest has been told he could face jail.

Leonard O'Connor admitted stealing the goshawk chicks from the nest in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire.

The 37-year-old, from St Annes Road, Huyton, Merseyside, was caught when he tried to obtain legal documents for one of the birds.

Knowsley magistrates heard police also seized his diary in which he described his expedition in May 2000 to steal the birds.

Kept a diary

The court was told O'Connor had given one of the birds away and kept the other to be reared as a falconry pet.

He kept a diary of its progress, including its first flight and kill.

He was discovered when he tried to register the bird, claiming it was disabled and needed to be cared for.

Goshawk facts

There are 400-500 goshawks in the UK They can weigh up to 1.5kg and have a wingspan of 127cm Their preference for gamebirds has led to their frequent persecution by gamekeepers

Police then raided his home, finding the bird, tail feathers from another goshawk and his diary.

O'Connor pleaded guilty to taking the two birds and possession of the tail feathers.

He had earlier admitted possession of a wild bird and making false documents.

He will be sentenced in January 2003 where he could face up to six months in prison and a �5,000 fine.

A spokesman for the RSPB said: "The Derwent Valley is probably the worst place in the country for goshawk persecution.

Population increasing

"They face persecution on three fronts; people stealing the eggs, people stealing the chicks for falconry and people smashing the nests to protect animals such as grouse from the goshawks."

The UK's goshawk population is currently increasing, with between 400 and 500 pairs in the country.

Birds can cost �1,300 each and can only legally be owned if it was bred in captivity and is registered with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Falconers might keep tail feathers from a dead bird to use as spares for their own bird.