Date for New Forest drift between Bransgore and Burley moved to avoid ground-nesting birds

AUTUMN pony round-ups between Bransgore and Burley are set to be rescheduled this year to avoid the ground-nesting bird season.

The planned drifts at Dur Hill, close to Whitten Pond on Pound Lane, will be pushed back to later in the autumn to allow Forestry England time to remove signs relating to ground-nesting birds.

The issue was raised at recent meeting of the Verderers' Court when members agreed it was inappropriate to conduct drifts with signage still in place warning the public about disturbing rare birds.

Members heard that although the ground-nesting bird season was over by the beginning of the round-ups, it would be easier to change the drift date to avoid any potential confusion.