Warwick District Council is set to continue its trial of measures this spring and summer to aid the recovery of endangered bird populations on St Mary's Lands in Warwick. 

From late February until August the Council will reinstate temporary protective fencing around an area known as the 'Lammas Field', where Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings have historically nested and raised their young in the meadow grass. 

The decision to continue with the bird protection scheme is in part based on findings of a survey by The British Trust for Ornithology who carried out assessments of bird activity in the fenced and non-fenced areas of the site between April and August 2025.

Warwick District Council's Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood, Cllr Will Roberts commented:"Ground nesting birds at St Mary's Lands include three species that are of conservation concern, with the Skylark on the red list due to a 50 percent decline in their population over the past 25 years. The BTO study has shown that within  the areas of temporary fencing the densities of breeding Skylarks and Meadow 

Pipits are substantially greater than those supported by unfenced areas, indicating that the areas protected from disturbance and destruction provide the most suitable habitat for these endangered birds.

"We would like to thank the public for the part they have played in recent years, in supporting our project, which is clearly having a positive impact, and to ask them for their help and cooperation again this spring and summer." 

The protective fencing will be installed from 23 February and will be in place until August.

Although the public right of way will be kept open throughout this period all visitors and their dogs are being asked to stay out of the restricted areas and also to avoid other areas of long grass, where chicks may be hatching. 

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The St Mary's Lands Ground Nesting Birds Survey 2025 is available on the Warwick District Council website.