Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 05 June 2008

A FLIMBY ornithologist has claimed that birds’ nests have been destroyed by contractors building a new cycle path from Flimby to Maryport.

But contractors Capita Symonds have strongly denied that they have damaged any nests.

Paul Harrison, of Eagle Ghyll Farm, said that two robins’ nests, one with chick and one with eggs, were destroyed.

He claimed that the nest of a mistle thrush was disturbed to the extent that the parent bird has abandoned her eggs, a yellowhammer nest with a clutch of young ones was covered in spoil and a linnet’s nest, with chicks, was removed by contractors.

Mr Harrison said a large section of hedge had been torn down behind Thomas Armstrong’s building.

He said: “I had not had the chance to check it but I do know that last year the hedge was populated by a large variety of birds including the rare pied fly catcher. At least eight species had nests there and now there are none.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Cumbria county council said: “When it was decided that a new cycle path could be built, an ecological survey was undertaken on the proposed route in 2007.

“This identified that there are no significant ecological constraints on the development of this cycle way.

“In addition, the report identified that the removal of hedgerows will not have a significant impact on the ecological functioning of these hedges, provided that the gaps created are no more than three to four metres in width".

“A single section of hedge three to four metres wide was removed within the past couple of weeks, prior to which a nesting bird survey was undertaken to ensure that no nests would be destroyed.

“Mr Harrison was invited to attend this survey, did so, and agreed with the findings.

“The hedge was subsequently removed shortly after the survey was completed.

“It has been suggested that a stockpile of building materials may have damaged or destroyed a yellowhammer nest next to the stockpile.

“Our contractors asked Mr Harrison if could provide any further information on this, but he has been unable to do so.

“Capita Symonds' dedicated team of conservation experts have been working closely with Cumbria County Council on this project since 2007, ensuring that the well-being of local wildlife, especially nesting birds, is of paramount importance.

“There is simply no evidence of any wildlife being adaffected during the development of the new cycle path."

Mr Harrison said that when the county council talked of surveys, it was he who was asked to carry them out.

He said he had evidence to back up some claims but some had been destroyed in the work being done.

Mr Harrison said he had reported the matter to a police wildlife crimes officer. It is not known what, if any, action the police will take.