AVIARY owner Dave Pooke, of Northway, Calne, is at a loss to explain why vandals are targeting his property.

In the two most recent attacks, attempts were made to set fire to the roof of the aviary, which is home to nine birds four Maroon Bellied Conures, four cockatiels and one quail.

"I can't understand why they keep on coming back, it must be something fixed in their minds," he said. "It has been very upsetting."

The vandalism began at the end of May when the wire of the aviary was cut. Then in June the garden fence at Mr Pooke's home was also cut.

The seriousness of the attacks was stepped up last Wednesday night.

Mr Pooke discovered that the roofing felt had been burnt in one corner of the aviary. On Friday morning, he discovered the opposite corner had been damaged in the same way.

Mr Pooke, 35, who works at the Honda factory in Swindon, has now stepped up security at his home to protect the birds.

He is using a higher gauge of wire on the aviary and has put fencing on top of his wall and has also invested in security lighting and closed circuit television.

He says he cannot work out the motive for the attacks, as the wire was not cut in an attempt harm to the birds and none were stolen. None of Mr Pooke's neighbours have ever complained about the birds.

The arson attacks left parts of the roof charred, but no concerted effort had been made to destroy the aviary.