Yesterday we took the dogs for a lovely walk on Greenham Common. This is a vast area, and I was dismayed to read a notice on the gate stating restrictions on the use of the land, which include all dogs to be on leads from March 1st to July 31st inclusive, allegedly to protect ground-nesting birds.
Cattle roam free on the common, as presumably do deer, foxes, badgers and other wildlife. I can't for the life of me understand how a dog's paws could cause more damage to birds' nests than a cow's hooves! It seems to me that these restrictions are becoming very widespread; it almost seems like a campaign against dog owners. I would not expect to run my dogs in a nature reserve, but I most certainly do on common land or council-owned parks - there is a similar restriction on a country park close to the office.
I have hit a brick wall complaining, the rangers simply state that the birds need to be protected; well, I'm sorry, but dogs need exercise as well. I suspect that if I go to the common next weekend exactly the same number of dogs will be running free, so I've two queries - are these restrictions enforceable in law? And how can one lodge an objection?
I can see the day coming when we have small, probably crowded dog parks as they do in the US, and dogs will have to be on lead elsewhere. It's the thin end of the wedge! What can be done?
Christine Bailey
There was a study done a few years ago - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6978272.stm - that dog walking was more disturbing to the birds than anything else, even humans.
ReplyDeleteI went to Dartmoor over Easter one year and was very disappointed that for the entire weekend the dogs would have to be on the lead. Most other people didn't bother, as you mention, but I feel happier knowing my dogs are not disturbing wildlife - especially as I think ground nesting birds are in decline.
The same signs are up at local reservoirs here in Northamptonshire.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be dogs' paws that concern the authorities - it's the chasing of birds that would be the problem.
The same bans are in place at some of the seaside resorts on the east coast
As Chapstaff says, it's the chasing of birds, and eating of bird eggs that is the reasoning behind this. Shame they wont allow dogs on lead, but I suppose too many owners would abuse it and ignore that.
ReplyDeleteSorry that you are unhappy about the restrictions that have been put in place on Greenham and Crookham Commons during the ground nesting bird nesting season 1st March – 31st July. As a dog-owner living close to the commons, I am well aware of the inconvenience the restrictions cause, but they are in place with good reason.
ReplyDeleteI have been working for Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to try and publicise the reasons for these restrictions as widely as possible. There have been a number of articles published in local magazines and websites – however, clearly the message hasn’t got out to all relevant people! Hopefully I can address a few of the issues here.
Some of Britain’s most threatened birds nest on the common. These include skylark, woodlark, lapwing and nightjar. Some have seen dramatic declines over recent decades and they need protecting wherever possible to make sure they are not lost from our countryside forever. If we want to preserve precious landscapes such as the common, we need to protect the wildlife that lives there. These birds nest on the ground. The nests are well camouflaged and it is easy to unknowingly stray too close to a nest, frightening the parent bird away and leaving eggs or chicks vulnerable to predation or chilling. Of course flushing the parent bird won’t necessarily result in failure of that brood to fledge, but it won’t help. These birds are struggling in our countryside and need all the help they can get to successfully raise young and (at the very least) maintain their populations.
Whilst anybody straying too close can frighten a bird from its nest, a number of studies have shown that dogs off a lead can be particular threat to ground nesting birds, not least because they love to race over larger areas and snuffle in the undergrowth. Therefore, as at many nature reserves up and down the country, visitors to Greenham Common with dogs are asked to keep their pets on a lead to protect the birds.
Greenham and Crookham Common is owned and managed by West Berkshire Council, who have joined forces with our local wildlife charity, BBOWT,to champion all wildlife on the site. They have introduced a number of measures to try to balance the needs of the wildlife with that of visitors. The common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and also covered by the CRoW Act so achieving the right balance between wildlife protection and open access is tricky (see http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 for more details).
To try to address the needs of dog walkers zoning has now been introduced on the common (signs are due to be in place by Easter). There are two GREEN ZONES (one at Pyle Hill and the other at Crookham) where dogs can be exercised off-lead. These also include a pool for dogs to splash in. Areas where the birds tend to nest are RED ZONES and all visitors must keep out of these areas. Everywhere else has been designated AMBER and visitors should stay on the main paths and keep their dogs on a lead.
BBOWT Seasonal wardens will be out and about on the common each day – do have a chat with one of them if you would like more detailed information. Every Saturday morning (starting April 17) there will be guided walks where you can learn more about the common and its wildlife. These are free and dogs on a lead are very welcome. Just turn up at the Control Tower. There is also a detailed breeding bird survey underway, which will hopefully gather useful information about the ground nesting birds that use the common.
Whilst it is understandable that you may be frustrated by the restrictions, I hope this post has helped you to understand the reasons they are in place and that you are still able to enjoy the common with your dog over the coming months. You can contact the ranger awallington@westberks.gov.uk for more information.
My West Highland White Terrier died on 28th May 2010. She was only 4.5 years old. She died of acute renal failure caused by poisoning. We have gone through all the possibilities with the vet and the only thing that stands up to scrutiny is blue-green algae poisoning, She could have ingested this from the water at Greenham Common, which we visited 4 days prior to her death. I cannot confirm that this is the case, but it is the most plausible. Apparently there were 4 cases in 2009, but Bonnie is the 1st case in 2010. I have another Westie and I can assure you we shall never visit Greenham Common again.
ReplyDeleteGreenham Common is not covered by the CROW act but by its own Act of Parliament.
ReplyDeleteplease see the WBCC website for details of the common or contact the Commission with any questions
http://www.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=22078