Epping Forest is home to a large number of birds. The vastmajority of birds nest within the safety of trees and scrub butsome birds, such as Skylarks, Tree Pipits and Meadow Pipits, areground nesting species. Ground nesting birds have evolveddistinctive behaviour and great skills in camouflage to enable themto lay their eggs and raise their young on grass and in heathlands.

This is a risky business however making them more vulnerable todisturbance than birds nesting in the safety of trees andscrub.

Disturbance of ground nesting birds during the breeding season,from February to August, may result in birds failing to nest, oreggs failing to hatch and can also lead to chicks dying from thecold or starvation or being eaten by predators.

Staff at Epping Forest are asking for your help to protect theseimportant species of birds, particularly between February andAugust. Whether you are walking, running, cycling, horse riding ordog walking in Epping Forest, please take extra care when using thegrassland or heathland areas. Observing the following simple rulescan help to reduce the risk of disturbance to these specialisedbirds:Where possible please stick to obvious paths or desiredlines.

At Wanstead Flats there maybe temporary signs informing thepublic of sensitive areas to avoid or to tread carefully.

Please follow any instructions. Please keep your dog undercontrol in these sensitive areas.

If you become aware of birds that appear upset or agitatedplease move quickly away (if possible retracing your steps) as youmay be close to a nest site.

Epping Forest Conservation Manager, Dr Jeremy Dagley, said"People out enjoying Epping Forest can really help to ensure thatthe ground nesting birds here flourish. Just by using the grasslandand heathland areas with care during the important bird nestingseason can make all the difference to the success of theseimportant species."A Spokesperson from the RSPB added, "Ground nesting birds can beincredibly sensitive to disturbance. Tree pipit and skylark are redlisted species so their status makes them even more sensitive toinappropriate disturbance. The best thing to do is make sure petsin the area are kept on leads and to stick to the footpath whenenjoying the surroundings." "