Be mindful not to disturb waders on the coastline
IT’S uncanny how high tides often close the beach car parking areas on the Sefton coast right at the very start of the summer season.
If there’s one thing you can’t argue with, it’s the sea.
This year is no exception with high tides meaning the parking area on Ainsdale beach did not open until April 2, while the Southport beach car park remained closed until April 3.
Big tides are not unusual on the Sefton coast of course – the sea covers the sands as frequently as the tired old “the sea never comes in at Southport” joke is trotted out by those unfamiliar with the patterns and seasons of this remarkable landscape.
Tidal action deposits a strandline filled with feeding opportunities for coastal wildlife from migrating shorebirds to Natterjack Toads later in the season – please respect the flotsam and jetsam as an integral part of the habitats that grace shore.
That means you should not remove driftwood or disturb wildlife in the area.
It is a good time to remind visitors that as well as Covid-19 restrictions that are still in place governing the number of people allowed to meet up (still only six people outdoors) there are a raft of rules that ensure this coastline is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Regulations also govern the behaviour of motorists looking to park up at the beach car parks at Ainsdale and Southport: Drivers access the beach car park at their own risk.
Access is provided to allow parking only. The speed limit is 10mph and drivers are urged to regard the car park as a pedestrian area.
For the safety of all users vehicles must remain within the parking area at all times.
The beach car parks lie within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, which is protected by law. Overnight parking is not permitted, with the car parks closing at night.
Any stranded vehicles must be recovered at the owners’ cost by a recovery agent.
Stranded vehicles can pose a serious risk to other users and the environment, so vehicle owners will be held accountable for any pollution incidents resulting from stranding and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
For details of parking charges and permits, please go to www.sefton.gov.uk
As spring migration begins to build up, so does the number of wading birds on the coast and they are often pushed into tightly packed roosts over big tides.
When this happens it is imperative that visitors do not disturb them – these birds are conserving energy that they need to complete their incredible journey to breeding grounds in the far north.
If you are walking on the coast and see groups of birds on the sands ahead, you should detour around them, do NOT walk through them.
If birds start to walk away or take flight you are too close – back off.
Keep dogs and horses well away from these congregations too.
By respecting the Sefton coastline it means that the wildlife on the coastline is protected.
John works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service that brings together the coast & countryside, parks & green spaces, flooding & coastal erosion, risk management and grounds maintenance teams for a joined-up approach to the vital management, development and oversight of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, parks and green spaces. This column looks at the flora, fauna and history of the coastline, and the work carried out to protect it.