THAMES BASIN HEATHS sbiae.o ai eesnrp-mgscmCrsGomersall Chris rspb-images.com Levenson David rspb-images.com

Dartford Warbler an ancient landscape facing

For more information: extinction? telephone 01273 763622 www.rspb.org.uk/thamesbasinheaths Thames Basin Heaths under threat Thames Basin Heaths Heathlands are fragile places on them for their survival. eggs or chicks. With more and can be damaged easily. Uncontrolled fires, fly tipping visitors and more local and the “invasion” of garden residents, there will be more The network of heathland sites across , and are known as the Thames Basin Heaths. Walkers, horse-riders and dog- plants all damage the heaths, cats and dogs and the risk to Together, they are one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe, and a vital remnant of an historic landscape. walkers can all unwittingly slowly destroying their special heathland wildlife will be that rspb-images.com Chris Gomersall damage the areas they enjoy nature as the local population much greater. visiting so much through increases. overuse. Plans to build at least 40,000 As the birds that depend on new homes around the County Boundary Bracknell As the number of people living the heathland all nest on or Thames Basin Heaths mean Local Authority Boundary Sunninghill near to the Thames Basin near to the ground, they are at that these pressures will only M25 Heaths increases, so do the particular risk from cats and get worse. M3 WINDSOR & dogs as they often disturb threats to the heathlands and BERKSHIRE MAINDENHEAD the wildlife that depends nesting birds or even eat the

WOKINGHAM BROADMOOR TO BAGSHOT RUNNYMEDE WOODS AND HEA THS Bagshot SANDHURST TO OWLS MOOR Woodlark BOGS & HEA THS ELMBRIDGE rspb-images.com Andy Hay rspb-images.com Colin Carver Yateley Sandhurst Chobham HORSELL BRAMSHELL rspb-images.com George McCarthy COMMON Lowland heathland CASTLE BOTTOM TO Y ATELEY COLONY BOG & Woking HAZELEY HEA TH AND HA WLEY COMMONS BAGSHOT HEA TH Lowland heathland is a OCKHAM & Silver-studded Blue Butterfly Sand Lizard Frimley WOKING WISLEY globally rare habitat that COMMONS provides a home for a SURREY The way forward unique range of specially RUSHMOORFarnborough The current housing This solution must: Heathland 1800 adapted wildlife. If the development Provide additional public open spaces for recreation to reduce EELMOOR MARSH • heathlands are lost, so is HART Fleet ASH TO BROOKWOOD HEA THS the visitor pressure on the heaths. WHITMOOR proposals for the area the wildlife. COMMON Heathland now surrounding the • Limit the damage by current and future users of the Thames BOURLEY & LONG V ALLEY Basin Heaths. This will involve measures that encourage HAMPSHIRE Thames Basin Heaths people to use the heaths more sensitively including Heathland once covered are unsustainable. information boards, waymarking and minor alterations to Aldershot some car parks. vast areas of southern GUILDFORD A solution that takes England. Since the 1800s, • Ensure that existing landowners maintain the Thames Basin Ash Guildford account of housing Heaths in the best possible condition. forestry, agricultural needs and ensures the To secure the future of the heathlands, for wildlife and people, intensification, urban The Thames Basin Heaths are legally protected because of survival of the heaths these actions must be coordinated across all the local authorities in the Thames Basin Heaths area. The RSPB is working hard to development have Farnham internationally important populations of three of the UK’s rarest is needed now. Shalford Gomshall achieve a consensus between local authorities, developers, local contributed to the loss of breeding birds: Dartford warbler, nightjar and woodlark. They are people and conservation bodies. 75% of this precious also home to a range of other specialist heathland wildlife, including resource. The decline in smooth snakes, sand lizards and silver-studded blue butterflies. We urge you to support the RSPB in our efforts to protect the Thames Basin Heaths. traditional land uses, Without urgent action to safeguard the heaths, their unique wildlife will disappear forever. such as grazing, has also The Thames Basin Heaths are a fantastic place for local people and For further information about the Thames Basin Heaths and how to protect them please allowed many heaths to visitors to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of heathlands and their contact Joanna Crouch 01273 763622 or e-mail [email protected] become overgrown. remarkable wildlife. www.rspb.org.uk/thamesbasinheaths Regd charity no 202076