No new birds of prey for Dovestone reservoir

Rumours of plans to introduce birds of prey into areas surrounding Dovestone reservoir have been denied by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Roy Taylor, Peak District Area Manager, said: “We have absolutely no plans now or any time in the future to introduce such birds into the area.

“We have been associated with such schemes in the past, of putting back birds that used to be in habitats but have been wiped out, but there are no appropriate species to introduce here.”

A Chronicle reader writing under the name of ‘Warbler’ first raised the issue in a letter published on March 30, based on previous schemes involving the RSPB that have introduced Red Kites and White Tailed Eagles back into spots around Britain.

He said: “Their (RSPB) previous record is hardly inspiring, its policy of introducing raptors, mainly eagles and hawks, leads to the decimation of smaller species – the smaller birds do not stand a chance.”

The RSPB, who took over the management of the site on April 1, is holding a public meeting next Wednesday, June 28, at Uppermill Civic Hall from 6.30pm, to inform Saddleworth residents of what the long and short term plans are for the area.

They include moves to clean up toilet facilities, introduce information offering staff and low-impact nature activities.