Kent End Farm Quarry
I know that some of you are concerned about the continued work on the potential breeding birds at Kent End. Gareth Harris has asked that I put the following on the website for clarification.
" The Cotswold Water Park Society and Moreton C Cullimore Ltd are working together, as we have done for the past few years, to favourably resolve any conflicts between breeding birds and quarry operations. Please note that this work is successfully undertaken across the CWP, at all quarry sites, with all mineral companies.
Care is taken to balance the requirements (in terms of habitat and wildlife law) of the breeding birds, whilst continuing with SOME, BUT NOT ALL, quarry operations on the site. We aim to optimize the conditions for breeding waterbirds, whilst ensuring that all operations are within the Law.
At Kent End Farm Quarry in 2008, the area of shallow water and small islands will be left and maintained for breeding birds throughout the breeding season. This area will be left as disturbance-free as is possible, whilst quarry operations continue around the edges of the pit. We will be regularly reviewing the works and impacts upon nesting birds as the breeding season progresses.
Note that some backfilling works are being undertaken at Kent End Farm Quarry at the moment; these will cease in this area in the next week or so and operations will resume on the southern end of the pit, close to Fridays Ham Lane. This work will not impact upon the shallow water areas. Please remember that nesting birds can be very tolerant of machinery disturbance, often ignoring machines working close by, but are less tolerant of human disturbance.
If you have any queries or concerns, please let me know. Extra pairs of eyes are always useful! Email me at cwpbirdsightings-at-hotmail.co.uk . Gareth Harris.