At RSPB St Aidan’s and RSPB Fairburn Ings we enjoy welcoming a wide range of different users to our wonderful sites. A busy weekend will see them being used by walkers, bird watchers, photographers, cyclists, horse riders, families enjoying a picnic and many others.
To ensure that everyone stays safe we would ask visitors to treat each other, our volunteers, staff, and the sites with respect and follow a few simple guidelines.
Wildfires at RSPB Fairburn Ings & RSPB St Aidan’s
Last year both RSPB St Aidan’s and RSPB Fairburn Ings were affected by a number of ‘wildfires’ that were caused by the careless behaviour of a few.
We would like to remind visitors that BBQ’s and fires are not allowed at either site. With little rain over the last 4 weeks both sites are already very dry, and the fire risk is increasing.
If you find a fire on either site, please ring 999 and ask for the Fire service. If you have a what3words of the location of the fire it makes everything much easier for both the Fire Service and our site teams. After reporting to the Fire Service please report the fire and the location to our teams at the Visitor Centre at RSPB Fairburn Ings or The Little Owl Café at RSPB St Aidan’s.
Footpaths & Bridleways at RSPB St Aidan’s
We would like to remind cyclists and horse riders that they should only be riding on the public bridleways (public rights of way for walking, horse riding, bicycles, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs) through the Park – shown in pink on the map.
These public bridleways are also routes used by walkers and those in wheelchairs & mobility scooters and riding at excessive speed may cause an accident or injuries to other users.
Recently a visitor witnessed a group of 10 cyclists riding across the fields on the hillside area causing damage to a delicate habitat and potentially causing a hazard to any walkers using the footpath. The route is clearly marked as a public footpath and not a public bridleway and we would ask cyclists and horse riders to make themselves aware of where the bridleways are located at RSPB St Aidan’s.
Litter
We would ask that all visitors please either take your litter home or put it in the bins beside the Little Owl Café and car park at RSPB St Aidan’s and the car park at RSPB Fairburn Ings. We would also ask that dog owners clean up after their dogs – poo bags should either be taken home or placed in the general bins. If you have forgotten your poo bags please pop into The Little Owl Café at RSPB St Aidan’s or the Visitor Centre at RSPB Fairburn Ings to pick one up.
Canoes, UP’s & Inflatables
Please can we remind everyone that canoes, SUP’s and inflatables are not permitted on any of the water bodies at either RSPB Fairburn Ings or RSPB St Aidan’s.
If you have any questions about staying safe in the Aire Valley, please contact our Community Engagement Officer Jo at: Joanna.lee@rspb.org.uk. Thank you for sticking to the guidelines as it makes everyone's experience unforgettable.
Don't forget to tag us in your photos and videos from your time in the Aire valley on social media!
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