Jay Kay, who got into trouble when he landed his helicopter at Blakeney Point.
Rare visitor shocks rangers as Jamiroquai’s Jay Kay lands helicopter on Blakeney Point
By STEVE DOWNES
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
11:24 AM
A multi-millionaire pop star ruffled thousands of feathers when he landed his helicopter on a sensitive nature reserve.
The tranquillity of Blakeney Point was disturbed when pop star Jay Kay landed his helicopter there.
PHOTO: ANTONY KELLYJay Kay (pictured, right), frontman for Jamiroquai, surprised Blakeney Point’s rangers when he set down the chopper yards from where thousands of protected sandwich terns were making their nests.
The incident happened on April 12, and if it had taken place a few weeks later when the terns were breeding, could have caused them to flee and compromised the colony - which is internationally protected.
National Trust countryside manager Victoria Francis said the incident had “surprised” the rangers.
She said seasonal assistant ranger Joe Cockram was the first to see the helicopter land, and added: “It was flying west from Cley and landed fairly close to the lifeboat house on Blakeney Point.
“Joe went over to speak to the pilot and Jay Kay, who was in the helicopter, and explained that it was a sensitive area and that landing wasn’t permitted.
“They were very polite and apologised and took off again.”
She said the National Trust had subsequently written to Mr Kay “in a friendly way” to point out why the landing was a problem.
She said: “It’s one of the UK’s premier wildlife sites and is important for grey and common seals, sandwich, little, arctic and common terns, and many other breeding and migratory birds.
“On top of the wildlife, the landscape is also precious.”
Ms Francis said Mr Kay had called back to apologise “very politely”, and she added: “It could have been worse. Because it was at the beginning of the breeding season, there was no impact on the breeding birds.
“The helicopter itself didn’t leave a footprint on the ground.”
She said: “To see a helicopter land on the Point is not an ordinary occurrence, but it’s one of those things that happens as part of the rangers’ work. It shows how important it is that we have staff there to react to incidents.”
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13 comments
If there is no sign stating NO HELICOPTERS then how can you know? Is the Air Ambulance allowed to land there if someone has a funny tern?
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popeye
Friday, August 31, 2012
"ruffled feathers" and a picture of JK wearing a hat made of feathers. Love it!
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Matt Andrews
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Bookworm ****being rich is a good thing,i admire him. ***. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz. You are running on empty Norton. The bird has flown.
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LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
He must have killed a few terns as it looks like he's stuck them to his hat.
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ggj666
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Have we just gone back in time, or is it a slow news day?
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Master_Mates
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
An absolute prize tit.
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Mellow_Yellow
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
if he was flying this helicopter then he should be reported to the CAA as he should have known via his maps that this is a sensitive area and should read his flying manual about flying restrictions!!!! an notams etc etc
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stephen watson
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
being rich is a good thing,i admire him.
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bookworm
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Is this just another rich kid who thinks he can do just as and what he likes. ???
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loco
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Surely some form of donation would have been an acceptable good will gesture. Regards, Whiley.
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Whiley Boy
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
It happen in April Its now August!!! so why is this now considered to be News?
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Hugh
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I have always thought that guy was a complete prat.
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Cyril the Canary
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
talk about over reacting.
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bookworm
Tuesday, August 28, 2012