Pick up our new guide to help protect coastal birds
WITH spring migration about to gather pace, thousands of wading birds will be winging their way north, getting closer to the Sefton Coast by the day.
The arrivals of these birds in spring and autumn are one of the key designated features of this coastline - a feature that affords the spectacular landscape protection in the same way as Natterjack Toads, Sand Lizards and Northern Dune Tiger Beetles.
It is vital that these globetrotting species are not harassed as they rest and feed along the coast in spring and autumn, and Green Sefton’s “Give Birds A Break” campaign aims to remind visitors to avoid disturbing them, whether walking a dog, riding a horse, jogging, kiting or even birdwatching.
The campaign has the local support of conservation groups along the Sefton coast including the RSPB, National Trust, Natural England and the Dynamic Dunescapes campaign.
We want people to enjoy the coast and the natural treasures it boasts without disturbing habitats or species.
Over the coming months visitors may see Coastal Ambassadors at key areas along the coast who are on hand over periods of high tides to explain the importance of not disturbing these birds.
Visitors should always detour if they see birds resting on the sands rather than going through them, as such disturbance means the birds burn energy they should be conserving to allow them to complete epic migration journeys.
Such disturbance if it takes place repeatedly can result in the death of these remarkable travellers, and no one wants that.
In spring and early summer many birds are heading north to arctic breeding grounds, while in autumn they are going in the opposite direction to warmer climes in the south for the winter.
High tide periods are when the chance of disturbance is greatest as feeding areas are covered and there is less beach for us and the birds to use (although there is plenty of space on the coast for all of us), but visitors should avoid disturbing birds along the coast at all times really.
To help people find out more about the waders that use the Sefton Coast, Green Sefton has produced a booklet detailing 15 of the commoner species that appear here, where they come from, where they’re going and how you can identify them.
The guide also features images of some of the scarcer species and will hopefully prompt visitors to take a voyage of discovery and learn more about these remarkable creatures, and why we should treat them with respect.
The 30-page full colour “Shorebirds of the Sefton Coast” also includes codes of conduct for horse riders and dog walkers visiting the coast and details of the superb Dynamic Dunescape’s “Paws for Thought” campaign, which allows dogs and their owners to sign up to a pledge to behave responsibly on the coast.
If you would like a free electronic PDF copy of “Shorebirds of the Sefton Coast”, please email me at john.dempsey@sefton.gov. uk and I will send you a copy via email.
For more details on the “Paws for Thought” scheme, please go to www.dynamicdunescapes.co.uk/dogs-inthe-dunes and if you’d like to become a volunteer Coastal Ambassador and help spread the message that the Sefton Coast is here to be respected, protected and enjoyed, please email community ranger Jordan Scott at jordan.scott@ sefton.gov.uk
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.