Killing them With Kindness....Hartlepool’s “Birdman” Faces Court: A Tale of Kindness Gone Awry....

Brian Wilkins pictured feeding wild animals

Hartlepool Pensioner faces a criminal record for feeding local wildlife that HBC Chiefs claim has gotten "out of control"....

30th March 2025

(Warning, Article Contains the Picture of a deceased Animal)

A Hartlepool Pensioner could in just days be left having a criminal record, following claims his feeding of wild animals has become a major public nuicence.

Brian Wilkins—affectionately dubbed "The Birdman"—has long been a local figure of fascination. For years, the 76-year-old grandfather has made it his daily mission to feed the town’s wildlife, particularly birds, earning him both admiration and ire from residents. But now, his passion has landed him in hot water, with a court appearance scheduled for April 1, 2025, at Teesside Magistrates’ Court (Dubbed Teesside Kangaroo Court by many local's).

What began as an act of compassion has now spiraled into a legal battle, with Hartlepool Borough Council who accuse him of breaching wildlife feeding laws—and, more shockingly, evidence now suggesting his actions may actually be unintentionally harming the very creatures he aims to protect.

The Birdman’s Story

Brian Wilkins is well known within the Hartlepool Comunity for his work with local wildlife

Brian Wilkins’ journey as Hartlepool’s Birdman started with a heartfelt intention. After reportedly losing six loved ones in quick succession, he turned to feeding birds as a source of solace, buying up to 30 loaves of bread daily to distribute across public spaces such as Hartlepool's Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and Stockton Road. Representing what he calls the "Hartlepool Wildlife Feeding Programme," Wilkins has argued that his efforts address the plight of "starving wildlife" in an increasingly urbanised world. To many locals, he’s a compassionate soul, a modern-day Dr. Dolittle standing up for nature. A GoFundMe page set up by his daughter Paula even compares him to the fictional animal lover, raising funds to support his legal fight.

Yet, not everyone sees it that way. Complaints are said to have piled up from local residents, including businesses such as Camerons Brewery, and even the manager of Park Towers apartments all claiming Wilkins’ bird-feeding frenzy has turned parts of Hartlepool into a chaotic, vermin-infested mess, with large flocks of birds drawn by his offerings causing noise, mess, and—according to the council—a persistent rat problem, with Wilkins quirky local story now escalating into a courtroom showdown.

The Legal Battle Ahead

Teesside Magistrates Court AKA (teesside 'kangaroo' court) as its more commonly known locally to residents

Hartlepool Borough Council is said to be prosecuting Wilkins under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, specifically for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued against him last year. The CPN was put in place after its claimed repeated warnings to wilkins to stop scattering vast amounts of food in public areas was not acted upon, an action the council says is attracting vermin and "significantly impacting the quality of life" for local residents.

The charge alleges that between January 16 and October 31, 2024, Wilkins ignored these directives, continuing to feed wildlife despite the notice.

The council’s case, which is controversially is being managed by a 3rd party private lawyer hinges on the legal framework of the Community Protection Notice, which can be issued when someone’s behaviour is deemed unreasonable and persistent, & negatively affecting the community. Breaching a CPN is a criminal offense, potentially leading to a fine or court-ordered costs, or even imprisonment if Wilkins is found guilty.

At a recent hearing, Wilkins admitted to the feeding but plans to argue at trial that he had a "reasonable excuse"—namely, his belief that the wildlife needs his help to survive.

A Twist in the Tale: Kindness Killing the Birds?

A number of locals have come forward to claim Wilkins feeding of birds is leading to many being killed by passing traffic

Whilst Wilkins’ supporters rally behind his cause, a darker narrative is said to have emerged which could shift the tide against him. Recent reports from locals suggest that his well-meaning actions might actually be doing more harm than good. Reports have surfaced of birds being killed in alarming numbers near Hartlepools main roads close to his feeding spots such as Morissons Clarence Road, Elliott Street, Sherriff Street, their bodies reportedly found stuffed with bird seed. The theory? Overfed and disoriented, these birds are flocking to busy roadsides, lured by the abundance of food, only then to be struck by vehicles.

This unintended consequence flips the script on Wilkins’ mission. Far from saving Hartlepool’s wildlife, his overfeeding could actually be driving birds to their deaths—a tragic irony that then strengthens the council’s case. Where once the focus was on rats and public nuisance, the evidence of bird fatalities adds a new layer of urgency. It’s no longer just about quality of life for humans; it’s about the survival of the animals Wilkins claims to champion.

Why Prosecution May Be The Only Way to Save the Birds...

Dozens of reports of Pigeons & Seagulls being killed by his feeding have been reported

Wilkins’ supporters argue that the council is 'overreacting', targeting a harmless pensioner instead of tackling bigger issues like litter from takeaways that also attract vermin. "The people of Hartlepool back him," his daughter Paula has said to a local newspaper, pointing to community support and dismissing the rat claims as exaggerated. But the mounting evidence of bird deaths complicates this defense. If Wilkins’ feeding is indeed luring birds into danger, a prosecution might be the only way to stop the cycle of harm.

The council’s legal action, whilst harsh on the surface, could actually force Wilkins to rethink his methods—perhaps channeling his passion into safer, regulated ways of supporting wildlife, like donating to local nature reserves or setting up feeders in his own garden. Without intervention, its claimed his unchecked kindness risks becoming a death sentence for the birds he loves. The April trial will likely weigh this balance: one man’s intent versus the unintended fallout.

What’s Next for the Birdman?

Many feel any court action will fail to deter Mr Wilkins from his 'mission' to save wild animals (Pic Credit, Paula Allison)

As Brian "The Birdman" Wilkins prepares to face Teesside Magistrates’ Court, Hartlepool watches with bated breath. Will he be seen as a martyr for wildlife or a misguided soul whose actions have gone too far?

The outcome could set a precedent for how councils handle similar cases, highlighting the fine line between helping nature and harming it.

For now, one thing's clear: what started as a simple act of feeding the birds has become a complex saga of law, morality, and unintended consequences.

Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds—and let us know your thoughts. Is the Birdman a hero or a hazard?

The courtroom will soon decide.