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Press Release - 4 May 2011

Forest fires threaten rare wildlife

The fires in Swinley Forest pose a serious threat to rare birds by destroying their habitat, eggs and chicks in the middle of the breeding season.

The Forest is part of a Special Protected Area (SPA) for Nightjars, Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers, three rare bird species that depend on heathland habitat for nesting and feeding.

These species are currently recovering from all-time low numbers, and the fires risk setting back their recovery.

Samantha Dawes, Conservation Manager at the RSPB South East, said, “The fires could not have struck at a worse time. It is the middle of the breeding season, when Woodlarks will already have chicks and Nightjars will have been establishing territories, and may have started laying eggs.

“Although adult birds should be able to escape, the fires will destroy any eggs and chicks in its path.

 “This is a devastating reminder of the vulnerability of this ancient landscape and the unique wildlife that depends on it for survival.”

Uncontrolled heathland fires are one of the growing problems associated with increasing numbers of people living close to heathland sites.  Hotter, drier summers, linked to climate change, are also increasing the risk and scale of uncontrolled heathland fires.

The Thames Basin Heaths SPA, a network of sites across Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire, is also home to a range of other specialist heathland wildlife including smooth snakes, sand lizards and many butterflies and dragonflies.

The RSPB has been working alongside local authorities and landowners to help protect the SPA from increasing urban pressures, which also include disturbance to ground-nesting birds from people and dogs, predation by cats, fly-tipping and vandalism.

To encourage more sensitive use of the heaths and limit damage, the RSPB is advising measures such as creating alternative open spaces for people to use, increasing rangers on the heaths, and improving public awareness of the historical and ecological importance of heathlands.

Ms Dawes added, “Now it will be more important than ever that Nightjars and Woodlarks are allowed to breed undisturbed in the areas of habitat not destroyed by the fire. People can help considerably by keeping dogs on leads in those areas.”

Heathland once covered vast areas of southern England, however since the 1800s forestry, agricultural intensification and urban development have contributed to the loss of 75% of this precious habitat.