Space for Shorebirds, Northumberland County Council’s scheme to protect the birds and dunes of the Northumberland coast, is asking all residents and visitors to help protect precious birdlife during the nesting season.
 

Spring on the Northumberland coast is a brilliant time for wildlife, a time of transition and a crucial time for shore nesting birds.
 

Spring sees purple sandpiper, sanderling and turnstone leaving local shores for their arctic breeding grounds, while other species like curlew and golden plover head inland to the hills to breed.
 

Other species migrate thousands of miles to come to nest on Northumberland beaches; global travellers like arctic terns that have spent the winter travelling the southern oceans, and little terns which have wintered in west Africa. 
 

The most widespread shore-nesting species on the Northumberland coast is the ringed plover.  Sometimes overlooked because of its small size this species is in decline across the country, with a 52% decline recorded in the past 25 years and as such it is a species which is red listed for conservation concern.
 

Like many ground-nesting birds it is a species which is vulnerable to disturbance and predation during the nesting season. 
 

Space for Shorebirds Wildlife Rangers are now busy with the final preparations for the shorebird nesting season, creating small fenced off nesting refuges.  
 

Senior Wildlife Ranger Richard Willis said, “At the time when our beaches are becoming busy with day trippers and holidaymakers ringed plovers are coming here to breed, so they need a helping hand in the form of nesting refuges to give them space to nest and raise their chicks.
 

“The good news is that people can help whilst 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 will be clearly signposted.  By giving those areas a wide berth, residents and visitors 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 residents are invaluable in keeping Rangers up to date about where these beautiful little birds might be looking to nest and where they would benefit from our protection and help, and Space for Shorebird rangers would like to thank the Coast Care volunteers and local residents who are taking part in our ringed plover survey this year. 
 

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

Richard goes on to say, “In Northumberland little terns only nest at two sites, which makes them vulnerable. The National Trust and Natural England 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”.
 

Rob Murfin, Director of Planning Services at Northumberland County Council 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 nesting ringed plovers. Balancing these important objectives is not easy but the Space for Shorebirds project’s nesting refuges offer an exciting approach to this.”
 

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

More about Space for Shorebirds:
 

The Northumberland coast is internationally renowned for its wildlife, particularly for birdlife and dune grasslands, but this is under ever-increasing pressure from recreational activities such as walking and dog walking. 
 

Space for Shorebirds has been established to enable people to continue to enjoy the magnificent coastline while ensuring that it’s important bird populations can thrive as well.
 

Space for Shorebirds is being funded by contributions that housebuilders and tourism developers make through the planning system, providing a simple and cost-effective way of addressing the impact that their new developments will have on coastal wildlife.
 

Space for Shorebirds is working with partners to deliver shore nesting bird protection during the nesting season.  Other partners include, Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, Natural England at Lindisfarne National Natural Reserve, The National Trust and Coast Care.