Part of the collection of eggs recovered by police

Among the haul were the eggs of ringed plover, kingfishers and curlews, Northumbria Police said.

Wayne Derbyshire, 38, of East Acres, Widdrington, Northumberland, admitted seven specimen counts under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

He had denied possessing equipment used to take protected eggs, but was found guilty at Bedlington Magistrates' Court. He will be sentenced on 27 June.

The court heard how Derbyshire had told police he could not help his compulsion and was "glad" when police caught him.

The court ordered that his climbing equipment, maps and binoculars be confiscated.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) helped in the operation to seize the collection of eggs last August.