Commons to have dog-free zones
Ruling is intended to protect rare, ground-nesting birds
COUNCIL chiefs aim to impose no-go areas for dog walkers on Greenham Common and Crookham Common in spring and summer.
The restrictions are intended to protect rare birds such as the lapwing and the woodlark which nest on the ground, since dogs can disturb the birds so they fly away, leaving eggs or chicks exposed and at risk of becoming too cold to survive, or eaten by predators.
However, there will still be designated play areas where dogs can run around, chase balls and splash in pools.
West Berkshire‘s executive councillor for the Environment, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), said: “During the spring and summer the commons become the ‘maternity unit' for rare and endangered ground-nesting birds. We're asking dog walkers to avoid the most sensitive areas, and use designated play areas for their dogs instead.
“There are green zones for dogs near Pyle Hill car park at the western end, and near Crookham Common car park at the eastern end. Both of them have pools so that dogs can play. There are posters in the car parks showing the exact areas, and most of the Common is still available for dog walkers to exercise their dogs.”
She added: “The red zones are where the most vulnerable ground nesting birds are likely to be on bare gravel, and we're asking all visitors not to go into these areas. Ground nesting birds can be found elsewhere across the common, which is why we're asking everyone to take extra care during the nesting period.”
The red zones are clearly signposted either side of the control tower car park, north of the fire plane and a large area at the eastern end of the Common. This is adjacent to one of the dog play areas, so dog walkers are requested to be especially vigilant here.
West Berkshire Living Landscape Manager with the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust , Jacky Akam, said, “We would like to thank all the visitors to the commons for their understanding and willingness to work with us to try to improve nesting conditions for the birds.
“Over the last 300 years 98 per cent of lowland heathland in Berkshire has been lost and this means birds and other species have declined as their habitat shrank. Heathland is so vital for wildlife nationally that it's on a government list of the most important habitats to protect and restore.”
She added: “Greenham Common and Crookham Common is the largest area of heath left in Berkshire. Even so, numbers of some of the rare ground-nesting birds are precariously low, so we need to do everything we can to help them.”
