Council says it is taking 'positive steps to protect wildlife' on St Mary’s Lands in Warwick

Following the recommendations of an independent ecology survey and agreement from Warwick District Council’s Executive and the St Mary’s Lands Working Party, new measures to help conserve wild bird populations are to be trialled on St Mary’s Lands.

It is hoped that the installation of temporary barriers during the bird nesting season will prevent ground nesting birds from being trampled and disturbed.

The initiative forms part of the Masterplan for St Mary’s Lands, which aims to protect and enhance the site’s value to native wildlife.

Recent improvements have seen the successful introduction of a wild flower area to provide a crop suitable for bird feeding and four wetland areas.

Cllr Alan Rhead, Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for environment and neighbourhood services said: "We all want to keep our parks and green spaces open for all users to enjoy, but at the same time we also have a responsibility to safeguard our natural biodiversity.

"The measures we are taking do not require the closure of any public footpaths, we therefore consider them to be a proportionate response to create an area for birds like Skylarks to nest undisturbed without effecting community access."

The fencing and signage are due to be put in place early next week.

A spokesperson from the Friends of St Mary's Lands said: "The Friends of St Mary’s Lands are amazed that Warwick District Council are going ahead with fencing off a very large area of the Lands to protect ground nesting birds.

"This is despite the Friends’ objections to this proposal on several grounds"