Park rangers at Hampstead Heath have installed signs and ordered swimmers out of the Model Boating Pond after crowds ignored the sanctuary's purpose, disturbing nesting birds and wildlife during a heatwave.
Park rangers at Hampstead Heath have taken urgent action to protect a bird sanctuary pond from disruptive swimmers. Over recent days, the Model Boating Pond, designated as a safe haven for nesting birds, has been overrun by crowds seeking relief from high temperatures.
Footage shows dozens of people splashing, throwing balls, and performing somersaults in the water, disturbing the local duck and swan populations. The situation has drawn sharp condemnation from residents, who describe the area as having turned into a 'party destination' with noise and music lasting until 2am. Despite the installation of 'no swimming' signs and rangers ordering people out, many continue to ignore the rules.
The sanctuary was established just weeks ago with £50,000 in public funding, aimed at providing a protected habitat. Local walkers and conservationists express deep frustration, accusing the City of London Corporation (COL), which manages the heath, of failing to enforce regulations. Video evidence shows swimmers kicking ducks off an inflatable and chasing them to secluded parts of the pond. Josephine McCarthy, a resident, voiced the community's distress, highlighting dangers such as sunscreen pollution in the water.
The COL responded, stating that swimming is only permitted in designated lifeguarded ponds and that enforcement actions, including fines and arrests, will be taken where necessary. The RSPB emphasized the critical breeding season for birds, noting that disturbance can lead to nest abandonment. Experts warn that the ongoing human activity poses severe risks to wildlife during a vulnerable period. The conflict underscores the tension between public recreation and conservation efforts in one of London's most beloved green spaces
Hampstead Heath Bird Sanctuary Swimming Ban Wildlife Disturbance City Of London Corporation
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