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Rare birds in the borough will suffer without funding

By Mike Pyle
October 15, 2010

Birds which make their home in Bracknell Forest have been identified as some of the rarest in the country and their recovery could be hampered by Government cuts says the RSPB.

Of the charity’s 40 most threatened species of bird, 20 are known to nest in Berkshire with several of the rarest species living in the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (SPA), part of which is in Bracknell Forest.

Earlier this month the RSPB published its list and called for help from other organisations to make sure they don’t die out in the face of Government cutbacks.

The list includes Dartford warblers, nightjars, skylarks and woodlarks, all of which are known to nest in Wildmoor Heath between Crowthorne and Sandhurst – part of the SPA.

Steve Gilbert, the RSPB’s conservation manager, said: “The recovery of UK birds like the skylark have been based on a three-way partnership of Government funding, conservation expertise and landowner involvement – cuts in government funding threaten to hack a leg from the stool, possibly plunging these species into crisis.

“For 120 years the RSPB has been spearheading the protection of the UK’s birds.

“We have done this by working with the Government, organisations and individuals.

“In hard times, we need to prioritise by working with those birds that most need the nation’s help.

“We’re calling on politicians, business leaders and the third sector to save these priority species for future generations to enjoy.”

Other birds on the list known to live in the area include the cuckoo, house sparrow, red kite, kestrel and the willow tit.

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