Bear Grylls’s survival show star ordered to pay £250,000 for violation in civil dispute

Former Bear Grylls contestant Barnes Thomas ordered to pay £250,000 after his building work killed valuable falcons.

Barnes Thomas, a former contestant on Bear Grylls' survival show "The Island," has been ordered to pay £250,000 in damages after his noisy construction work led to the deaths of three valuable falcons.

The dispute arose between Thomas and his bird-breeding neighbors, Martin and Scott Nicholas, who run Raptors of Penwith Ltd, a falcon-breeding business. The issue began when the Nicholas brothers accused Thomas of causing disturbances on his property that interfered with the breeding season of their birds. The brothers claimed the noise from Thomas' building project caused significant stress to the falcons, including a prized £150,000 race-winning gyr falcon, leading to its death. The brothers also reported that the noise and disturbances resulted in the loss of eggs and a reduction in breeding.

The court, led by Judge Jonathan Russen, ruled in favor of the Nicholas brothers, finding that Thomas’ actions constituted "nuisance and negligence." The judge noted that Thomas was aware of the sensitivity required during the falcon-breeding season but proceeded with his construction work without taking proper precautions. Additionally, the judge determined that the noise from a raised digger bucket during construction upset the birds, contributing to their distress.

Despite some claims of harassment from both parties, the court did not find sufficient evidence to support these allegations. However, the judge emphasized that the proven actions of Thomas caused harm to the Nicholas brothers' business, resulting in the £258,500 damages award. The case highlights the importance of considering neighboring businesses and their sensitivities, particularly during critical breeding periods.

Thomas, who relocated to Cornwall to pursue farming, was described as a controversial neighbor by the court, having previously clashed with others in the community.