Coopers Meadow

Written on 07 April 2022.

Recently a cygnet was attacked by a dog in the river at Coopers Meadow.  It did not survive. 

Any dog might behave this way even if you don't believe that yours would.

Swan families stay together until around February/March the following year, when the parents get ready to nest again and the cygnets begin to fend for themselves.  

The nesting season began on 1 March and runs to 31 July.  During this time we are asking dog owners to help us protect wildlife and to keep their dogs on leads in Coopers Meadow unless they are in the enclosed area of field with the gate closed and not likely to jump the fence.  

Please also bear this in mind elsewhere near waterways, and also if you are walking dogs in the countryside or forest remember that there are plenty of ground nesting birds which can be equally vulnerable to uncontrolled dogs. 

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69)

Thank you for protecting wildlife

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, a wild bird is defined as any bird of a species which is resident in or is a visitor to the European Territory of any member state in a wild state

Basic protection

All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions, to: 

• Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird.
• Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
• Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. 
• Have in one's possession or control any wild bird, dead or alive, or any part of a wild bird, which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954.
• Have in one's possession or control any egg or part of an egg which has been taken in contravention of the Act or the Protection of Birds Act 1954.
• • Use traps or similar items to kill, injure or take wild birds.
  • Have in one's possession or control any bird of a species occurring on Schedule 4 of the Act unless registered, and in most cases ringed, in accordance with the Secretary of State's regulations (see Schedules).
  • Intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird.   

  Fines: Penalties that can be imposed for criminal offences  in respect of a single bird, nest or egg contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 is an unlimited fine, up to six months imprisonment or both.

  For further information see https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69

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