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Dumped oil threat to nature reserve
ENVIRONMENT clean-up officers were rushed into action after oil barrels were dumped on a protected conservation area, threatening wildlife and plants.
ENVIRONMENT clean-up officers were rushed into action after oil barrels were dumped on a protected conservation area, threatening wildlife and plants.A walker enjoying the beauty of the Nene Washes, near Peterborough – which is regarded as the jewel in the crown of Peterborough’s birdwatching hotspots – noticed the thick black liquid had been spilled on land close to water.
The area of the washes is a national Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Environment Agency was alerted to the spillage.
Initial attempts to contact the land-owner failed, so officers from the agency decided to clean up the area because it is a flood plain.
Heavy rains could have dragged the oil into the neighbouring lake, poisoning the rich variety of fishlife which lives in the water.
Peterborough Bird Club recorder Brian Stone, is also concerned, saying: “It is the jewel in the crown for us, it really does have a lot of world class wildlife right on our doorstep.
“It is an internationally important site, and to think it has been put in danger is just wrong.”
Environment Agency officers have warned people about the dangers of abandoning oil.
Environment management team leader Man Fai Tang said: “The oil was posing a danger to the land and a risk to the water.
“We had to clean it up as soon as we could because of the risk of flooding, which would spread the oil.
“It is the responsibility of the land owner to ensure it is kept clean, but because it is sensitive area for wildfowl and wildlife, we wanted to get rid of it as soon as we could.”
The area was singled out as a possible breeding patch for the endangered Corncrake bird back in 2003.
Since then, Corncrake chicks, bred at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, have been released at the Nene Washes reserve to bolster numbers.
The RSPB, working with Peterborough-based English Nature and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have nurtured dozens of the rare birds in special aviaries at the Nene Washes, before releasing them into the wild.
It is also home to a variety of birds of prey and the rare black tailed gowit and wigeon duck.
One concerned walker, who alerted The Evening Telegraph to the spillage, but wished to remain anonymous, said: “There was a substantial amount of oil off the path, not far from the Dog in a Doublet pub.
“Luckily officers were called to clean up the mess, but it is still worrying to see it in such a lovely, protected, area.”
A spokeswoman for English Nature said: “It is worrying to think that someone would dump oil on a protected area. We urge anyone who sees anyone fly-tipping to report it immediately.”
n To report harmful fly-tipping, call the Environment Agency, on 0800 807060.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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