I have just emailed the Sleaford Navigation Trust as follows…
Hi, I have just read that you will soon be changing the New Street Bridge which certainly does need replacing. However today (22 June 2007) 2 Dabchicks have just started to nest within a couple of yards of the existing bridge, if work on the bridge is undertaken within the next 6-8 weeks the Dabchicks will certainly be disturbed and probably abandon any nest and eggs.
In each of the last 2 years we have just had 1 breeding pair of Dabchicks on this stretch of the Slea and if these are disturbed it may well be a disastrous loss to the Slea wildlife and probably also against the law.
With the above in mind could I please ask you not to do any work on the bridge or proposed winding hole until the nesting season is well and truly over.
I look forward to your reply
The more people who email the trust the harder it will be for them to do this work during the nesting season. If you would also like to try and help the Sela wildlife please send an email to…
sleaford.navigation@ntlworld.com
Thanks – Terry