Reality star in 500k battle after building work scared neighbour's falcons to death

"Barnes Thomas, a former art dealer who appeared on Bear Grylls' survival skills show 'The Island' in 2018, claims it was "unfair" he was blamed for the stress death of his neighbours' "incredibly sensitive" birds of prey, which can be terrified even by the sight of a kite in the air near their pen."

"After a judge last year ruled he should have been more careful not to upset the gyr falcons next door, Mr Thomas, 30, was handed a compensation and costs bill totalling about 500,000, on top of his own substantial legal bills."

"His lawyers say the judge's ruling means Mr Thomas is unreasonably restricted, arguing his neighbours - Martin Nicholas, 43, brother Scott, 44, and their business Raptors of Penwith (ROP) - requiring him to tip-toe around during the birds' breeding season is akin to London Zoo moving its giraffes to a Kilburn housing estate and telling the locals to be quiet."

Barnes Thomas, a former art dealer and reality TV personality, is appealing a court decision requiring him to pay approximately £500,000 in compensation and legal costs to his neighbors. The dispute centers on noisy construction work at his home that allegedly frightened his neighbors' gyr falcons, sensitive birds of prey used for racing, causing their deaths from stress. A judge previously ruled Thomas should have exercised greater care during the birds' breeding season. Thomas argues the ruling unfairly restricts his property use, comparing it to placing zoo animals in residential areas and expecting neighbors to remain silent. His legal team contends the judgment imposes unreasonable limitations on his activities.

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