SCOUTS across Salisbury took a trip to the New Forest to help restore the habitats of resting birds.

1st Alderbury, 3rd Salisbury (Sea Scout) and 4th Salisbury (Harnham) Scout troops took part in a conservation day in the New Forest to help restore the habitat of nightjars and other birds on Sunday (March 9).

Nightjars, described as mythical by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, are summer visitors to the UK with most travelling up from the scrub grasslands of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Numbers of nightjars in Britain fell dramatically during the 20th century as their heathland breeding habitat was lost.

The Scouts have often used the area at Abbots Well near Fordingbridge for many district and group events over the years, such as the Grose Trophy and navigation exercises, and so they wanted to repay this use of the land by helping to conserve the environment.

Julian Sheppard, a New Forest Ranger, coordinated the work, which saw half of the scouts help clear areas overgrown with gorse – a large evergreen shrub – the clearing of which would allow the birds to prosper.

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The other half of the Scouts went on a navigation training exercise to work towards their expedition challenge award, which involved hiking along the Hampton Ridge in a circular route back to Abbots Well.

The groups swapped over at lunchtime.

A spokesperson for the Scouts said: “Julian explained that the Nightjars prefer open habitats such as heathland, moorland, and scrubby forest areas, such as young gorse bushes or recently cleared areas.”

The young gorse growth also benefits other bird species by providing protected nesting and roosting sites.

Once cut, the gorse will produce new growth, which is ideal for the nightjars and other birds.

Armed with loppers and pruning saws, the Scouts proceeded to clear an area of Hyde Common.

During each session, Julian also demonstrated a controlled burning of a gorse bush.

A demonstration of controlled gorse burning Picture: Mark Warner

Mr Sheppard said: “Nesting nightjars are attracted to areas of gorse cut by hand, and it was really great to have extra help with this important habitat work from such an enthusiastic group of young people.

“I am more than happy to make this an annual event, so I look forward to seeing you all again next year.”

Leader of the 4th Salisbury (Harnham) Scout Troop, Mark Warner, said: It is great for the Scouts to put something back into the environment that we have used on many occasions and this will also count towards the Scouts badgework.

“The demonstration of the controlled gorse burning showed why it is vital not to light fires in the forest as the bush completely burned within two minutes.”