A NATURE enthusiast has expressed fear that breeding birds and animals are being disturbed while a woodland is cleared.

About 1,000 acres of trees are being felled at Wellhope and Killhope, in a 20-year programme by Weardale Estates.

Frank Beddard, who runs a conservation site and smallholding in nearby Cowshill, feels the timing of the work, on a 20-acre (eight hectare) site could not be worse.

Students from across Europe visit Mr Beddard's farm to study the rare flora and fauna that he encourages to inhabit the site, which is classified as an environmentally sensitive area.

He said: "I accept trees must be felled, but the timing is appalling.

"Many birds will still have chicks in the nest. Waiting until late July would have made a huge difference.

"Felling smack in the middle of the breeding season is probably disturbing important breeds like yellow wagtails, ring ouzels, buzzards and roe deer which live in Upper Weardale.

"I'm worried these breeds get scared away or diminish because of the disturbance and there will be an overwhelming amount of red grouse for hunting."

Stuart Maidment, North East operations manager for the Forestry Commission, said large areas of spruce trees would be replaced by heather, which is rare throughout Europe, and broadleaf trees including birch, willow, ash and hawthorn.

He said: "We gave permission for the scheme and expect landowners to comply with laws for the protection of wildlife. The replanting will benefit red grouse but, more importantly, will support many other native breeds."

Nigel Graham, land agent for Weardale Estates, said the scheme was a long-term programme that would eventually benefit native species.

He said: "The sites we are clearing are 100 per cent spruce, which does not originate from the UK but was planted here for use in former mines.

"If they were mixed plantations we would have looked closer at the inhabitants.

"I cannot see there being many birds, especially not rare breeds, in the areas we are felling, and as we are replanting with native trees there will be more woodland to support a diverse mix of wildlife."