"Agencies work together to reduce disturbance to winter waterfowl in the Broads"

Today sees the launch of a new multi-agency initiative aimed at reducing human disturbance to wintering waterfowl in the Upper Thurne.  The project has established a number of refuge areas and produced an advisory leaflet, poster and signs.  Formal letters will also be sent out to inform people about the risk of heavy fines for disturbing wildfowl on Horsey Mere.

The Upper Thurne Broads within northern Broadland have long been recognised as an internationally important area for ducks and geese. Large flocks spend the winter on the open water of Hickling Broad, Horsey Mere and Martham Broads where they feed and roost. At times the Upper Thurne Broads can support up to ten thousand waterfowl.  It is important that these waterfowl receive as little disturbance as possible, as winter is a tough time for birds and they cannot afford to waste energy flying away from people and boats.

‘Waterfowl refuges areas have been established in the Upper Thurne for many years, but they have not been as effective as we had hoped for several reasons’, said Clive Doarks, The Broads Conservation Officer for English Nature.  He went on ‘Throughout this year there has been a refreshed effort to gain agreement on the location of refuge areas and how they should be managed and publicised. This has now been done’. 

The proposals have been developed by English Nature, Broads Authority, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust, the Horsey Estate, the Police Wildlife Crime Unit and the Upper Thurne Working Group (a group representing boating, windsurfing angling and conservation interests).

Julia Masson of the Broads Authority said ‘The aim has been to reduce disturbance to wintering birds through the management of parts of the water space during this sensitive period.  This we feel we have achieved with the support of all user groups’.  Each of the refuge areas are managed in slightly different ways, to minimise the impact on human users but at the same time provide effective waterfowl refuges.

Today sees the launch of a leaflet to publicise the agreed refuge areas and their management regime for the winter of 2004/05.  ‘It is our hope that all users will help to make these waterfowl refuges a success’ said Julia.  ‘They will only be effective, however, if they receive widespread understanding and support from all recreational users’. 

Horsey Mere however is a special case.  The Mere has been an established refuge for many years and supports at times over 5000 waterfowl.  ‘The vast majority of Broads users have abided by the winter closure over the years’ said Clive Doarks.  He went on, ‘Fishing is permitted from Horsey Staithe but there are a few individual pike anglers who come onto the Mere by boat and repeatedly disturb the birds, and this cannot be tolerated within such an important wildlife site’.  New powers under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act now make it an offence to intentionally disturb the waterfowl on Horsey Mere and any person found guilty may be liable for a fine of up to £20,000.   The National Trust, Horsey Estate, Police Wildlife Crime Unit, Broads Authority and English Nature all hope such powers will not be needed.

The Upper Thurne Working Group.