Give Birds A Break campaign warns of dangers to birds and gulls along coastline
BIG tides forecast this week can make the coast a tempting place to visit, but it must be treated with respect at any time, as wind, channels and currents can make it a treacherous place.
High tides can mean little or no shoreline is left, with the waves covering areas normally above the high tideline. For us, taking heed, following advisories and keeping inland is a sensible option, but much of our wildlife does not have that luxury, and high tide cycles like those this week are when they are at their most vulnerable.
Roosting wading birds, gulls and other species find their resting places covered by water and they are often forced into tight flocks, sometimes far closer to human visitors than they would prefer. They have no choice - but we can help them by not walking along the shore over these very high tides between Ainsdale and Birkdale, or south of Albert Road in Formby.
A minor diversion will take walkers and dogwalkers into the dunes and away from causing disturbance to these remarkable creatures.
Changing a walking route for a few days is not much of an inconvenience compared to the trials these shoreline species face on a daily basis, especially in times of low temperatures, such as those we have experienced recently.
The cold sees birds burning energy more quickly, and disturbing them means they will fly, using up more energy that they cannot replace as feeding areas are covered by the tides. Horse riders should NOT attempt to ride on the shore during these high tides - there is simply not enough space on the shore for birds and horses over the tides.
Kiters should take care to stay in areas as laid out by their permit system at Ainsdale too - heading out of the area can also cause disturbance to the birds. Visitors to the Sefton Coast should always remember it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, that should be treated with care.
Habitats and wildlife must not be disturbed. Visitors to the coast may meet staff and volunteers at beach entrances this week who will be on hand to explain the need not to disturb roosting birds, and direct folk to paths and trails where disturbance is minimised.
You may also notice temporary signs at points along the coast highlighting the issue too. This work is part of the Green Sefton “Give Birds A Break” Campaign, which is supported by the RSPB, National Trust and Natural England on the Sefton Coast.
The idea of the campaign is to reduce disturbance - whether you are a dog walker, horse rider, jogger, kiter, photographer or even birdwatcher - we all have a role to play to make sure the amazing wildlife on our doorstep continues to grace us with its presence. Congregations of wintering and migrating birds are one of the reasons the coastline enjoys so many protections and remains a spectacular landscape for to marvel at.
Respect, Protect and Enjoy the Sefton Coast.
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.