Play your part in keeping birdlife safe

29 Apr 2022 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Beach users are being asked to play their part in keeping birds safe this nesting season.

Spring on the Northumberland coast is an inspiring time, and for wildlife and shorebirds in particular it is the most crucial time of year.

Wildlife Rangers from Space for Shorebirds, Northumberland County Council’s scheme to protect the birds and dunes of the Northumberland coast, are now asking all beach users to help our precious birdlife during the nesting season.

Purple sandpiper, sanderling and turnstone are leaving our shores for their arctic breeding grounds, while other species like curlew and golden plover have headed inland to breed.

At the same time global travellers like arctic terns that have spent the winter travelling the southern oceans and little terns that have wintered in west Africa are heading to our beaches to breed, where they nest in large groups.

However, ringed plover are the most widespread shore nesting species on the Northumberland coast, where they nest on sandy and shingle beaches at low densities as they are very territorial.  They are a species in decline and are red listed as a species of conservation concern, and so it is especially important that they are protected.

Senior Wildlife Ranger Richard Willis said: “At this time of year when our beaches are becoming busy with visitors, ringed plovers are forming the little scrapes in which they will lay three or four perfectly camouflaged eggs. Disturbance and trampling are serious threats to these birds and so it is vital that we provide fenced refuges where they can safely nest.”

Last year was the first time coast-wide shorebird nest protection was attempted in Northumberland.  For the 2022 nesting season efforts have been improved thanks to the experiences of the previous year.

Predation from ground predators plus aerial threats like crows, gulls and kestrels proved to be a real issue, though it was very encouraging to see that with the use of the nest protection areas ringed plover chicks fledged from Embleton beach and Druridge Bay, two areas which can be very busy. 

Richard added: “Despite the challenges the tenacity of the plovers to raise their families can be awe inspiring. Watching a ringed plover mother face down a kestrel last year, all while calling to its chicks to stay still and stay hidden, was a privilege to see.

“The good news is that people can help while still enjoying their visit or holiday to the Northumberland coast, by looking out for wildlife and giving the birds space.  The ringed plover nest protection areas are clearly signposted.  By giving those areas a wide berth, you can help the chances of these great little birds being able to nest and raise a family this year.”

The eyes and ears of local volunteers from Coast Care are invaluable in keeping our Rangers up to date about where these beautiful little birds might be looking to nest, and Space for Shorebird rangers would like to thank the Coast Care volunteers and local residents who are taking part in our shore nesting bird surveys and nest protection work this year.

It is also hoped that in time nesting little terns could be attracted to the nesting refuges as well. 

Richard said: "In Northumberland little terns nest only at two sites, which makes them vulnerable. The National Trust at Beadnell Bay and Natural England at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve do a great job protecting those sites, but there is real need to increase the number of nesting sites so that the population is more robust and less vulnerable to events such as a high spring tides, predation and disturbance."

Cllr Colin Horncastle, Executive Member for Community Services added: “The Council is committed to providing the homes that people need and enabling the tourism industry to thrive, however, we are also determined to protect the wonderful wildlife that we are so lucky to have on the Northumberland coast, including our shore nesting birds like ringed plovers. Balancing these important objectives is not easy but the Space for Shorebirds nesting refuges provide an excellent way forward.”

If you would like to know more about the shorebird nesting season on the Northumberland coast please see our blog at www.spaceforshorebirds.co.uk and social media @spaceforshorebirds.