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42 Environment Agency Angle on the Broads Environment Agency Angle on the Broads 43

Angling and wintering Wigeon at Cley, Norfolk 1: Arrival of wintering waterfowl

waterfowl in the Upper Thurne Amongst wintering waterfowl are wigeon, teal, shoveler, gadwall, tufted
duck, pochard and goldeneye, which arrive from northerly summer
breeding grounds mainly in Iceland, northern Scandinavia and northern
central Russia into Siberia. The numbers of ducks overwintering in the
Upper Thurne are significant in international terms – 2,000 birds can be
regularly present on Hickling Broad, and over 4,000 birds, mainly wigeon
The Broads waterways are recognised for their recreation opportunities whether for and teal, on Horsey Mere.
angling, sailing, boating or wildlife watching, and these activities are integral to the
status of the Broads as a national park.
2: Upper Thurne National and

International designations

The angling interest is most famously success and further recruitment of concept is managed using angling approach a Code of Practice has The whole of the Upper Thurne carries all four designations:
represented by huge pike, including young birds into the population. permits. These operate on the been produced with local anglers
the English record of 40lb landed North Broad from October to March (see Box 3) to provide advice to Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is a National designation
by a local farmer in 1960. However, There is consequently a need inclusive, allowing access three days anglers enjoying winter fishing on protecting nationally important habitats and species. Natural England has
bumper catches of bream, specimen to balance people’s recreation a week for a maximum of two boats. Hickling Broad. responsibility for identifying and protecting SSSIs in England under the
rudd and large tench have also enjoyment of the Upper Thurne There is no fishing on the South Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the Countryside and
added to the area’s reputation water with the requirements of the Broad, which provides a year-round The refuges at Hickling, Horsey Rights of Way Act 2000).
as an angler’s paradise. wintering waterfowl. A series of refuge for waterfowl. and Martham have been closely
refuges or no-disturbance areas have monitored for bird numbers and Special Protection Areas are protected sites classified in accordance with
However, the importance of the been in place on the open waters Hickling Broad has three voluntary their response to any waterborne the EU Wild Birds Directive (April 1979). The sites are classified for their
area for conservation is highlighted of the Upper Thurne for a number refuges in Pleasure Island Bay, at disturbance recorded to give a better rare and vulnerable birds, and for regularly occurring migratory species.
by the autumn arrival of thousands of years. At Horsey Mere, angling Heigham Corner and Ling’s Mill Bay idea of how the birds respond to
of waterfowl to the Upper Thurne by boat is restricted by permit only and one in Duck Broad in Heigham disturbance and how the refuge Special Conservation Areas are protected sites designated under the EU
Habitats Directive (May 1992) and includes both habitats and species most
wetlands, which migrate here to feed from 1st November to 28th February Sound. Anglers and other users are system can be improved.
and roost for the winter (see Box 1). inclusive. Applications for permits being asked to make a voluntary in need of conservation at a European Level.
These waters and wetlands provide must be made by post to the Horsey commitment to stay outside these Where do we go from here? Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under
ideal winter quarters for the birds, Estate and obtained in advance of refuges from November to March Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, signed in Ramsar, Iran
with reed fringed lakes, large open fishing. At Martham, where there is inclusive to provide a quiet area The Upper Thurne waters will in 1971. Many sites are selected with an emphasis on their importance for
water bodies, quiet bays for roosting no public fishing right, the refuge for waterfowl. To assist with this continue to be critical to the waterbirds.
and plenty of food. The numbers of wellbeing of the waterfowl that
migrating waterfowl are recognised migrate here to winter and feed
in the national and international before returning to their summer 3: Code of Practice for the Hickling Broad refuges
designations applied to the Upper breeding grounds. Equally, these
Thurne (see Box 2). Therefore, waterways will continue to provide
there is a considerable challenge angling opportunities, which people 1. Avoid refuge areas if at all possible.
in managing these interests to the come to the Broads to enjoy. We
benefit of all. must continue to work together to 2. If a refuge needs to be entered, navigate refuge areas with care, trying to
find creative ways of accommodating avoid disturbing any wintering birds.
Many of these wintering waterfowl both interests. 3. If a refuge area needs to be entered, use only electric outboards or oars
are highly wary of humans; it is a
natural survival instinct for them to The Broads would be a poorer place within these areas. Do not use petrol outboards within the refuge areas.
take flight when they feel in danger. without the spectacle of thousands 4. Go quietly, be seen but not heard.
Some species, such as teal are highly of birds arriving here for the winter,
flighty whilst others, such as tufted or without places where we can enjoy
duck can tolerate some degree of these natural resources, whether
human disturbance. Disturbance can angling, sailing or wildlife watching. Visit www.thurnefisheries.co.uk for more information and
lead to lack of condition for the birds Julia Masson details of the application process for Horsey Mere permits. For
as they have less time for feeding in a copy of the leaflet ‘Reducing disturbance to winter waterfowl’
their preferred areas, and expend Formerly Conservation Manager, please send an A3 SAE to: Winter Waterfowl, Broads Authority,
energy flying away. This could Broads Authority
eventually jeopardise their breeding Tufted duck 18 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ.