The New Forest National Park is a Special Protection Area for birds and every year a small number of car parks are closed from 1 March – July 31, establishing quiet zones for the protection of ground-nesting birds. The locations are chosen based on survey work from the previous breeding season, together with ongoing analysis of the prime locations for different species of bird.
Ground nesting birds such as the
lapwing, nightjar and curlew are at risk of completely disappearing from the UK
as their numbers dwindle due to loss of habitat and disturbance. The New Forest
is one of the last places in the UK where these birds can still be found and
helping them to breed successfully is now critical to their survival in the UK.
Ground nesting birds can be very difficult to spot when walking across the Forest and most of us would simply be unaware that they are here. In fact, the nests are so well camouflaged that to the untrained eye it is very hard to see them before you are so close that damage has already been done. Limiting activity helps reduce the likelihood of birds abandoning nests or else exposing them to predators – often other larger birds, such as crows. These often wait patiently nearby in the hope that a bird rising into the air when disturbed by a passing human or dog will reveal the site of a nest containing eggs or chicks which can then provide an easy meal.
The
first national lockdown occurred at the start of the last breeding season. Birds took advantage of normally busy areas such as car parks
to nest or feed and reduced footfall meant that birds were generally able to breed more successfully across the Forest. This success has meant that
some new car parks have been added to the closure list this year.
The
car parks closed from Monday 1 March will be - Crockford, Crockford Clump,
Yewtree Heath, Clayhill, Hinchelsea, Shatterford, Hinchelsea Moor and Ocknell
Pond.
The
most sensitive breeding areas are signed and everyone out on the Forest can help our
birds by avoiding these and other breeding sites and respecting all signed instructions. Most importantly not to walk, cycle or ride across
open heathland or mires, to stay on main tracks and to keep dogs on leads and
not permit them to run across open land, even when it looks empty!
Other car parks which have been closed for normal winter maintenance will re-open on 26 March. Details of all closures can be found on the Forestry England website here: Car Park Closures
More information regarding support for ground nesting birds can be found on the NPA website here: New Forest NPA