FighterControl

Would everyone please note that the field opposite the Golf Course should now be considered out of bounds to all. Apparently there are protected nests in the field (Stone Curlews)Signs will appear to this eFfestiniog.

That should read effect. !!

Sadly Rich I suspect those signs will mostly go unheeded, which will then ruin it for everyone else.

Disturbing protected species is a criminal offence. Trespass at your peril!

Is this post related to it? :- viewtopic.php?f=287&t=174715

....or is it the one (can't find it now) which reported that the farmer had received a mouthful from so-called "spotters"?

It's definitely the same field, there's only 1 opposite the golf course and it's pretty sizeable, I can testify from numerous treks across it over the years, including a notable one well after midnight on the way home to Cheshire from the continent when we stopped in to pick up some Saudi F-15SA's that were sat out on the visitor's pan.

Shame it's no longer useable as a vantage point, but if that's the case then fair enough, ultimately it's private land and we've had a fair crack of the whip...

Off to Maidscross Hill from now on then to see what we can see from the top of the hill, looking back across the base then (Not much I seem to recall, although I've picked a few bits up from there over the years.)

This field has for many years been an area of special interest. I had a conversation with an Elvedon Estates manager a few years ago in the field and asked him why no notice was posted to this effect. He didn't know. Been waiting for something to happen ever since. Suspect that current movements coinciding with nesting season have brought it to a head.

I has always said the authorities will have the last laugh. The idiots who park badly and leave there rubbish will lose the wonderful privilege watching aeroplanes.

Are you sure they are eggs or the multitude of golf balls!!!!

Hope the cattle have been warned to stay clear of the nests as well , I would have to see the curlew chicks wandering around with a new headress .

sorry to hear the sad news,that we cannnot go to the mentioned field,as a member of the bto,rspb,those who choose to go on that field could get fined if the farmer brings in the police who has their own wildlife officers to deal with those who choose to ignore the rules.
There are only 2/250 pairs i n eastern england,in the whole of the uk around 500 pairs,with the cold winds around lakenheath,it can result in disturbance and loss of eggs.

John

The cattle would have been moved

I have used that field for years whenever I have needed to and never had any problems. I park off the road and stick to the ‘tracks’ in the field.
Have people been spoiling things for the rest of us (example, the earlier report of abusive spotters?)? It wouldn’t surprise me at all! Moreover, surely the chicks will have finished nesting within a few months and things will calm down, unless of course people don’t respect their surroundings with regards to parking, leaving rubbish etc etc...
Regards
Mark

How about the verge on the same side of the road? Can you see anything if you are on the other side of the fence?

Not so easy to see from the roadside verge (though not completely impossible depending on where anything is parked) as the field is higher ground. It is quite a trek from the spotters car park though.

The field is on the edge of Lakenheath Warren SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)
https://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.asp ... 1004467%27

sorry to say but the Stone Curlews nesting season last until October

I have been in the field on many occasions including at night , there was no problems/notices this time last year
but guess it is has become a very popular spot ,

we need to be respectful of the situation to ensure future access out of season or they might put up a bigger fence there

Re: Access to the field another concern is will there be much of a view soon anyway ?? Looks like major construction work about to commence!!

John

If the MOs are parked on the same ramp as the SJs, they should be visible from Maidscross Hill and the 'crater'. If the weather conditions are favourable, you can even read them off from here, with a bit of yomping, patience, and a good set of optics.

So while not ideal, all may not be lost.

From what I understand here its going into the actual field where the line is crossed? I parked on a little pull in near the visitors pan and could see all the SJ's from the verge without a ladder. OK I'm 6ft and was stood on a bit where the ground rises but it was OK. Didn't go in the field and parked off the recessed bit. Is that OK or not?