Winter Wildfowl disturbance in the Upper Thurne
The Upper Thurne Broads have long been recognised as an internationally important area for waterfowl. Large flocks spend the winter on the open water where they feed and roost.
It is important that these birds receive as little disturbance as possible, so certain parts of the Upper Thurne broads have been identified as winter wildfowl refuge areas.
The aim is to reduce disturbance to winter waterfowl through the management of the water space during this sensitive period. It is the hope of of the Upper Thurne Wildfowl Refuge Group (a sub-group of the Upper Thurne Working Group) that all users will help make these waterfowl refuges a success.
If you are boating, fishing or canoeing in the Upper Thurne please avoid these important wildfowl refuges. It is an offence without reasonable excuse to intentionally or recklessly disturb wintering birds for which Horsey Mere is designated of special interest. A person found guilty of any such an offense may be liable for a fine of up to £20,000.
More information about how to get fishing permits: Thurne Fisheries-Information on pike fishing on the Upper Thurne
More detail about Winter Waterbirds
Horsey Mere is particularly sensitive area in the Upper Thurne. It can support some of the largest populations of wild migratory water birds. Between the 1st November and the end of February, boat access on Horsey Mere is limited to navigation between the end of Meadow Dyke and the Staithe and (for anglers only, who must obtain a permit first) a small area in the southern part of the Mere, delineated by 4 buoys. Natural England is of the opinion that any boating activity outside of these areas is considered likely to cause disturbance to the waterfowl and would therefore constitute an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The remainder of the Upper Thurne refuge areas and voluntary exclusion periods are explained on the leaflet.
Historically, disturbance caused by boat users has either been due to ignorance of the rules or deliberate disregard of the rules. In the case of the former, there have been reports of various boat users causing disturbance, including sailing craft, holiday cruisers, canoes and angler’s boats. To improve awareness of the rules, the Broads Authority have erected a sign at the entrance to Candle Dyke requesting boat users not to access the Mere during the sensitive period. More detailed information about access is available in the refuge leaflet, copies of which can also found in tackle shops.
In the winter of 2010/11 it was reported that the only disturbance observed on the Mere was that caused by anglers deliberately fishing outside of the designated fishing area. It is a very tiny minority of anglers that do this (perhaps only a handful of individuals) and the Upper Thurne Wildfowl Refuge Group acknowledges that the vast majority of anglers abide by the rules.
Given the importance of Horsey Mere for over-wintering waterfowl and the requirements of the legislation that protect them, the rules in place that allow limited access fishing are based on a precautionary principle. The Upper Thurne Wildfowl Refuge Group are in the process of reviewing whether the permitted fishing area could be extended to increase the number of swims available to an angler to fish without increasing disturbance to the waterfowl. However, at this moment in time it is Natural England’s view that any fishing outside of the permitted area could cause disturbance to the waterfowl and given the difficulty in policing the types of techniques used.
