Harriers flight heightens Lydd Airport expansion danger (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Harriers flight heightens Lydd Airport expansion danger

August 9, 2007 12:57 PM

Marsh Harrier in flight

The RSPB report that young marsh harriers have fledged for the first time from their reserve which is threatened by Lydd airport expansion. Three birds of about six weeks old have made their maiden flights from the Society's Dungeness reserve in Shepway where staff are hoping a second nest will also be successful.

The appearance of the birds is being given as one more reason why Lydd Airport (London Ashford Airport), next to the reserve, should not be allowed to expand. Planners are currently studying the airport's application for a longer runway and new terminal. Lydd believes it can eventually attract two million passengers a year by 2015.

Lydd's planning application is being considered by Shepway District Council, which has asked the airport for more information before making its decision.

Reserve warden, Pete Akers, said:

"This is the first time marsh harriers have nested at Dungeness. We have enlarged and improved reedbeds, which has been the key to attracting the birds.

"They are regular visitors in winter but in the past have gone elsewhere to breed. More youngsters could still fledge but the nests are deep in reedbeds and impossible to see. We won't know how the second pair has done until the birds leave the nest."

The RSPB bought the 1,000-acre Dungeness reserve in 1931. It is the Society's oldest site and its largest in the south-east. The area attracts 120,000 birds in winter including large flocks of gulls, ducks and lapwing, and the reserve itself has this year hosted more than 60 species of breeding bird.

The Dungeness peninsula is the largest shingle formation of its kind in Europe hosting great crested newts, rare plants and bumblebees, and other unusual insects. If expansion is allowed at Lydd, the airport could block improvements designed to increase bird numbers and help other wildlife.

Bob Gomes, Reserve Manager, said:

"More flights and larger aircraft would cause huge disturbance to birds already on the reserve, especially to flocks of lapwing and golden plover in winter. Airport expansion could not come at a worse time for Dungeness. It has long been an invaluable site for wintering, breeding and migrating birds and it would be a bitter blow if expansion hampered management on the reserve and action to combat climate change."

Shepway Liberal Democrats