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July 2008 Scenes and Birds
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Dog Walking on SSSI/SPA’s in England and Wales
Walking your dog in the countryside is part of the fun of owning a dog or even dogs but how many of us stop to think “am I complying with the latest regulations/legislations”. I would not mind betting that a lot of us don’t.
How many of us have any idea what the status of the land on which we walk is? From the discussions I have recently had with dog walkers it appears very few of us. Dog walkers on the whole are reasonable people who are willing to listen when you start to tell them what the status is and are then anxious to learn more when you have told them; especially when it is a SSSI/SPA.
The first question is usually what are SSSI and SPAs?? A SSSI is a site of Special Scientific Interest and a SPA is a Special Protected Area under the European Bird Legislation Annex 1. For any part of the countryside to be a SPA it must also be a SSSI and it means there are endangered species such as ground nesting birds.
So what has this to do with dog walkers other than being something nice to know? Well a SSSI and a SPA or a SSSI on its own for that matter, is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), any behaviour deemed to be an offence under this Legislation carries fines up to £20,000. Now that is a lot of money in anybodies purse. There are of course other legislations in place to protect such land from misuse and they have their own penalties for failing to observe.
OK, I hear you saying, but what is the point you are trying to make? Well my message is this: Our dogs must be under strict control at all times. OK that goes without saying I hear you murmur, but did you know that in the “Bird Breeding Season” (February to September) ALL dogs are required to be kept on a lead of no longer than two meters in length and kept on the paths and tracks in areas where ground nesting birds are nesting. These areas are usually but not always Heathland. This is because there is clear evidence that where dogs are walked without leads endangered species are further endangered through disturbance that often lead to predation of the nests or chilling of the eggs.
It is also a requirement to clear up after our dogs. NO KICKING OFF THE PATH INTO A DITCH. At the present time some 200,000 tons of our dogs excrement is left in the countryside and I am one of the people who steps into a dollop of this every time I work or even just walk in the countryside;; so please clear up and dispose of in a responsible manner. If there is no “Dog Bin” Take it Home, DO NOT hang it in the trees or on gate posts because such disgusting habits can not continue to be tolerated. (Please see photographs). You know much of our SSSI/SPA’S is Defence Estates (MoD) land on which Military personnel carry out training, I know for one that I would not like to have to carry around the smell of dogs wast matter for days on end. SO come ON join me in trying to make our countryside a cleaner place and leave the birds in piece. I thank in anticipation for your cooperation.
 
Chairman
HCS and HCS Protection Group (Coordinated Law Enforcement) partnership. |
30 Jul 2008 by prometheus
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Heathland Week 2008
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Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June Inclusive
A week of fun activities for the family on a heath near you.
Twenty events including:
Saturday24thMay: Natural History Walk
Join Surrey Wildlife Trust Ranger Scotty Dodd and members of the Natural History Society for a walk across Brentmoor Heath taking in all aspects of natural History. Hand – lenses and Guidebooks will be useful. Donations Welcome. Further Information 07799 894154.
11.00am to 1.00pm. Meet at: New England Hill, West End, GU24 9PY Grid ref: SU 937 613. Parking area will be sign posted on the day.
Wednesday 28th May: Day’s End at Sandhurst
Enjoy an evening exploring the Sandhurst training area near Camberley on a 2 mile walk with Surrey Heathland Project. Discover the birds and other wildlife and listen out for the eerie call of the nightjars at dusk. Warm cloths, a torch and binoculars are recommended. Dogs on leads please. Further information: 0208 5419149
7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. Meet at Northern end of King’s Ride, Camberley GU15 4NG
Friday 30th May: Nightjar Jaunt to Caesars Camp
Discover the sights and sounds of this amazing bird that emerges at dusk. Bring suitable warm clothing and footwear, insect repellent, a torch and binoculars. Will involve a 3 mile walk on uneven ground. Dogs welcome on leads. Pre-booking essential on 01344 354441.
8.30 pm to 11.00pm. Meet outside entrance to the Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW
Please visit surreyheathlandproject for full listings or phone 0208 5419149
Heathland Week events are run by a number of organisations who are working hard together to conserve our fragile environment, please Support them.
Chairman of the Heathland Conservation society.
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12 May 2008 by prometheus
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HCS Conservation Work
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The HCS Volunteers have since the end of the bird breeding season been busy clearing regrowth of birch on the Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heath SPA and will continue to do so until the beginning of the next breeding season. There is a lot of work to be done, not only clearing regrowth, there is fencing to be repaired, checking on site notices and replacing them is they are faded or have been vandalised.
We are trying to start a Weekday Group of Volunteers; possibly a group of retired people interested in giving up a few hours a week to carry out general conservation work. It is healthy and great fun. There is the social side where like minded people can meet chat and who knows go down to a local hostelry afterwards and partake in some good food, liquid or otherwise.
Interested? then give HCS a ring 01276 507122 and find out more.
If you regretfully fail to get an answer just leave your details and we will get back to you.
Don’t just contact us if you are retired there is always space on our once or twice a month Saturday or Sunday Work Force.
See you soon? |
30 Nov 2007 by prometheus
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