Forestry England to close some of its car parks in the New Forest to protect ground-nesting birds

NINE New Forest car parks will close next month to protect rare and vulnerable ground-nesting birds.

Forestry England will shut several sites across the national park until late summer in a move to create "quiet zones" at critical breeding locations.

Those on the list are Clayhill, Crockford, Crockford Clump, Hincheslea, Hincheslea Moor, Ocknell Pond, Ogdens, Shatterford and Yew Tree Heath.

The public are asked to stick to the main tracks in the most sensitive locations, and not to venture onto heathland areas where birds will be nesting.

Dog walkers are also being urged to ensure their pets do not stray, and cyclists and walkers to steer clear.

Orange signs will be installed in car parks and on paths to indicate areas very close to breeding grounds, and red stop signs to warn of nesting sites in the immediate vicinity.

The New Forest plays a key role in ensuring the survival of endangered species including the curlew, lapwing, nightjar and Dartford warbler.

A Forestry England spokesperson said: "Unlike most birds, ground-nesting birds build nests and raise their young on the ground around woodland edges and on the open heathland areas of the Forest.

"The quiet zones will help reduce the likelihood of disturbance resulting in nests being abandoned and chicks exposed to predators."

Heather Gould, chair of New Forest Dog Owners Group, stressed the importance of obeying the signs, adding: "Even better, please avoid any sensitive area all together.

"We’d advise all dog walkers to avoid the protected heathlands if they can walk elsewhere during the nesting season.

"One suggestion is to use Forestry England’s robust tracks map which is on their website. In general, these paths steer clear of sensitive sites, although if a walker does come across any signs, clearly they should be obeyed."

Richard Taylor, chair of the New Forest Cycle Working Group and vice-chair of the New Forest Access Forum, said it was "vitally important" for cyclists to stay on the way-marked routes.

"When planning your route, know where the quiet breeding zones are located and which car parks are closed, so you can avoid these areas,” he said.