Bird Watch

The boundaries of the New Forest National Park are within walking distance, and you’ll find notices like this at every approach to areas of Canada Common, one of my favourite walking areas, and indeed for countless other villagers and visitors.
This time of year though, legions of birds who habit the common and other parts of the Forest are in particular danger, simply because they next on the ground.
Rolling heathland and acres of open grassland are. a natural habitat for birds like the curlew, lapwing, snipe and redshank. That’s why the authorities urge you to keep to recognised tracks across the commons and not allow dogs to run free.
You’ll find their nests in the most unsuspecting places on the open heath and when nesting birds are disturbed they can be frightened off, and abandon nests and their eggs or young.
Years ago I had the misfortune to disturb. a lapwing while taking daily exercise across an open stretch of heathland. Fortunately, although the bird took off from the ground, from a distance I did see it return.
This time of year, it pays to be prudent and keep to the well worn tracks.