Hundreds of sunseekers invaded Hampstead Heath's wildlife ponds during the heatwave, turning it 'into a beach club'. The protected birds and cygnets were seen waddling nearby as dogs, unless they are assistance dogs, are not allowed in the pond areas.
Hundreds of sunseekers invaded Hampstead Heath 's wildlife ponds during the heatwave, turning it 'into a beach club'. The protected birds and cygnets were seen waddling nearby as dogs, unless they are assistance dogs , are not allowed in the pond areas.
People in bikinis and swimming shorts lined the banks beside a huge yellow 'no swimming' banner as others, young and old, ignored the warning to wade through the water and float on inflatables. A video posted on social media shows a sad-looking swan gently prodding an unhatched egg with its beak in the water after it had fallen from its nest.
The sunseekers' actions during peak nesting season have invoked the fury of locals with the City of London Corporation being accused of not doing enough to protect wildlife. Meanwhile, Hamstead Heath's popular Parliament Lido was forced to close yesterday because of 'unacceptable behaviour'. Andrew Knight, a veterinary professor of animal welfare, has waded into the row after viewing the clip. He said that the disturbance from swimmers can cause parent birds to abandon nests or leave chicks vulnerable.
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who has swam in Hampstead Heath's Ladies Pond, shared the clip on her X account and said it was 'ignorance for all to see'. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal for any person to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird while it is building a nest or is in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young.
The video was posted on Instagram account swansofhampsteadheath who hit out at the City of London Corporation for not doing enough to prevent the disturbance. They claimed that restricting the birds to a small section at the back of the pond makes it incredibly difficult for them to access the natural food they need to survive
Hampstead Heath Wildlife Ponds Sunseekers Heatwave Protected Birds Cygnets Dogs Assistance Dogs No Swimming Banner Social Media Andrew Knight Veterinary Professor Animal Welfare Martina Navratilova X Account Ignorance Wildlife And Countryside Act 1981 Disturbance Wild Birds Nesting Season Peak Nesting Season
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Sunseekers Swarm Hampstead Heath Wildlife Ponds During Heatwave, Endangering Nesting SwansHundreds of visitors invaded protected wildlife ponds on Hampstead Heath, ignoring no-swimming signs and disturbing nesting swans and cygnets, sparking outrage from locals and wildlife advocates who criticize the City of London Corporation for inadequate enforcement.
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