During the bird breeding season (March to August inclusive), we need to be careful not to damage or destroy nests or disturb birds, especially whilst they’re breeding or nesting.

All wild birds receive protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and it is an offence to:

• intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird
• intentionally damage, destroy or take the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built
• intentionally destroy an egg of any wild bird

Some birds, such as the Kingfisher, receive additional protection and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb them or their dependent young while they are at or near to an active nest site.

The birds which we’re mostly likely to disturb are waterfowl such as great crested grebe, mallards, tufted duck, mute swans, coots, moorhens and heron among others, which are all found and breed along our stretch of the river.

So please take care to avoid paddling too close to likely breeding sites such as marginal vegetation, bankside trees overhanging the river etc. Some species, such as the great crested grebe are particularly vulnerable as they nest on floating platforms of weed which can easily be damaged or destroyed if we’re not careful. We should also avoid birds swimming in the river as they may be with young.