BIRD NESTING SEASON on the heath IS 1ST MARCH TO 31ST JULY
This is an essential time for our ground nesting birds, some of which are endangered species. When ground nesting birds are disturbed they may be prevented from settling, or if already nesting they will fly away from their nests, neglecting their eggs or chicks. Disturbance We want as many people as possible to visit and enjoy our heath, however, if you’re coming please follow these important guidelines:
The breeding season, between 1st March and 31st July, is a particularly vulnerable time for ground nesting birds. When disturbed birds may be prevented from settling, or if already nesting they will fly away from their nests, neglecting their eggs or chicks. Disturbance may result in:
• Birds failing to nest
• Eggs failing to hatch
• Chicks dying from cold or lack of food
• Nests becoming vulnerable to predators
It is a criminal offence to disturb rare breeding birds, including Hen Harriers, Peregrines and Merlin’s, intentionally or not. This also includes disturbance caused by your dog.
Information about Moorland restrictions can be found on local signs or at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
Fines of up to £20,000 and or imprisonment are possible.
How to recognize a distressed or disturbed bird
• They will make a loud repeated alarm call – they don’t sound very happy and they’re not.
• They will approach people much closer than would normally be the case - some birds may even dive bomb you. This is a clear message that the bird feels threatened by your presence and that you should retreat.
• They will feign injury in an attempt to distract you from the nest.
• Subtle behaviour such as circling high above.
What you can do to help
• Wherever possible stick to tracks or paths, particularly when going through dense heather.
• Keep dogs and birds apart. Birds see dogs as a threat.
• Give a wide berth to young birds and to adults that appear distressed. Move away quickly and quietly, this may mean going back the way you have come.
• Do not stop for prolonged periods away from paths. Move on if a bird shows signs of disturbance or distress.
• Avoid steep cloughs.
• Follow the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct, available from the RSPB website.
• Follow any instructions or advice given by Rangers or Wardens.
( Source of info Tread Carefully Leaflet )
I'm sure that the vast majority of us follow the above advice, I just wanted to raise the awareness that we all need to be vigilant.
Enjoy your days out and be careful were your treading.
The breeding season, between 1st March and 31st July, is a particularly vulnerable time for ground nesting birds. When disturbed birds may be prevented from settling, or if already nesting they will fly away from their nests, neglecting their eggs or chicks. Disturbance may result in:
• Birds failing to nest
• Eggs failing to hatch
• Chicks dying from cold or lack of food
• Nests becoming vulnerable to predators
It is a criminal offence to disturb rare breeding birds, including Hen Harriers, Peregrines and Merlin’s, intentionally or not. This also includes disturbance caused by your dog.
Information about Moorland restrictions can be found on local signs or at www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
Fines of up to £20,000 and or imprisonment are possible.
How to recognize a distressed or disturbed bird
• They will make a loud repeated alarm call – they don’t sound very happy and they’re not.
• They will approach people much closer than would normally be the case - some birds may even dive bomb you. This is a clear message that the bird feels threatened by your presence and that you should retreat.
• They will feign injury in an attempt to distract you from the nest.
• Subtle behaviour such as circling high above.
What you can do to help
• Wherever possible stick to tracks or paths, particularly when going through dense heather.
• Keep dogs and birds apart. Birds see dogs as a threat.
• Give a wide berth to young birds and to adults that appear distressed. Move away quickly and quietly, this may mean going back the way you have come.
• Do not stop for prolonged periods away from paths. Move on if a bird shows signs of disturbance or distress.
• Avoid steep cloughs.
• Follow the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct, available from the RSPB website.
• Follow any instructions or advice given by Rangers or Wardens.
( Source of info Tread Carefully Leaflet )
I'm sure that the vast majority of us follow the above advice, I just wanted to raise the awareness that we all need to be vigilant.
Enjoy your days out and be careful were your treading.
The highest density of ground nesting birds is usually in the long grass, in particular in the red zone on the map.
Wildlife blog
Martin Johnson runs a blog (roystonwildlife.blogspot.co.uk), which includes his sightings on Therfield Heath as well as his 'Local Patch', formed by the triangle of Royston and the villages of Reed and Therfield. Look under the index of 'Local Sightings' to see a record of his sightings going back a couple of years.
The blog contains sightings of birds, butterflies, other insects and plants (as well as the occasional mammal) that Martin sees on Therfield Heath, as well as the area to the south of Royston including the villages of Therfield and Reed. Martin is currently working on a number of photographic projects relating to the butterflies and plants on Therfield Heath: these may well be turned into potential articles for Natural History Societies including the RSPB (Martin leads the Local Group that covers this area), Butterfly Conservation and/or the Hertfordshire Natural History Society. Martin also plans to produce a couple of Photo Books in the coming year. 'Lockdown' has actually benefited these projects by giving him more time to get out locally 'in the field' in recent months: it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good!
The blog contains sightings of birds, butterflies, other insects and plants (as well as the occasional mammal) that Martin sees on Therfield Heath, as well as the area to the south of Royston including the villages of Therfield and Reed. Martin is currently working on a number of photographic projects relating to the butterflies and plants on Therfield Heath: these may well be turned into potential articles for Natural History Societies including the RSPB (Martin leads the Local Group that covers this area), Butterfly Conservation and/or the Hertfordshire Natural History Society. Martin also plans to produce a couple of Photo Books in the coming year. 'Lockdown' has actually benefited these projects by giving him more time to get out locally 'in the field' in recent months: it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good!
RSPB
There are lots of ways to get involved and give nature a home with the RSPB. They have big dreams and we're part of them.
From starting or joining a local group, fundraising and volunteering, to taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or Give Nature a Home, we can be a part of saving nature. Its future is in all of our hands, and together we can make a big difference.
To find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved
From starting or joining a local group, fundraising and volunteering, to taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch or Give Nature a Home, we can be a part of saving nature. Its future is in all of our hands, and together we can make a big difference.
To find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved
Royston Wildlife Group
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Meetings are held on a Tuesday evening in Royston Town Hall.
Talks begin at 7.30 pm in the lower hall. Our programme is based on recommendations made by the members. Please contact a committee member if there are topics you wish to be included in future programmes. Contact Don Shewan tel: 01763 244079 email: dshewan007@btinternet.com Raffle A fund raising raffle will be held each meeting. Contributions to the raffle are always welcome. Donations Last year donations were given to: 1. Friends of Therfield Heath 2. Vine House Farm 3. Cambridgeshire Mammal Group Subscriptions (We have made a small increase this year to cover higher expenses for hall hire, fees etc.) Subscriptions for 2019/2020 = £12.00 Cost per meeting = £3.00 Under18s = Free Committee Members Don & Sue Shewan 244079 Ray & Joan Munden 241217 David Bannister 242266 Membership Secretary (vacancy) |
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2020 Program of events
25 February 2020
Robin Page - Countryside Restoration Trust
“CRT, latest news including the Red Squirrel project”
CRT is dedicated to restoring and protecting the wider countryside and its wildlife. Their aim is for conservation improvements to be carried out alongside practical farming and land management and to spread these aims by example and education. Mayfields Farm on the edge of the small village of Themelthorpe in Norfolk has three dedicated red squirrel breeding enclosures. CRT hope to breed two red squirrel litters each year and re-introduce them into the wild.
25 February 2020
Robin Page - Countryside Restoration Trust
“CRT, latest news including the Red Squirrel project”
CRT is dedicated to restoring and protecting the wider countryside and its wildlife. Their aim is for conservation improvements to be carried out alongside practical farming and land management and to spread these aims by example and education. Mayfields Farm on the edge of the small village of Themelthorpe in Norfolk has three dedicated red squirrel breeding enclosures. CRT hope to breed two red squirrel litters each year and re-introduce them into the wild.