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Cats Threaten Rare Birds in New Town Plan
24 Apr
Summary
- A proposed 2,000-home town could endanger nightingales.
- Domestic cats pose a significant threat to ground-nesting birds.
- Nightingale populations have declined dramatically over 50 years.
A significant housing development is being considered for land adjacent to Highnam Woods, a vital RSPB nature reserve. The proposed 2,000-home town in Churcham, located south of the woods, is raising alarms for the survival of the nightingale species.
Nightingales, a red-listed ground-nesting bird, are known to inhabit the southern section of Highnam Woods, which is closest to the development site. The RSPB has expressed serious concerns that an increase in domestic cats accompanying new residents could pose a direct threat to these vulnerable birds.
The charity also highlighted that increased noise and light pollution from the development could negatively impact the nightingales' behavior and breeding success. The national population of nightingales has plummeted by 90% in the past five decades, with only 5,550 singing males recorded in the UK in 2013.
The Forest of Dean District Council is considering this development as part of a larger housing target imposed by the government. A public consultation on the draft local plan concluded on March 18th, with councillors set to debate the plan before its submission for examination in the autumn. Another proposed development of 3,500 homes is also planned near the A417.
