In previous blogs we’ve learnt about the importance of the UK’s coastal wetlands as places for nature to feed, breed and shelter. In today’s blog, and in honour of Natura 2000 Day, Chantal Macleod-Nolan, Project Officer, highlights some of the fantastic work that the LIFE on the Edge project is doing to create, restore and protect important coastal habitats around the English coastline.
Natura 2000 Day is marked on 21 May each year. A day for celebrating the hard work undertaken in protected areas to provide important habitats for nature. But what exactly is Natura 2000? Natura 2000 is an international network of protected areas, designated under the European Birds and Habitats Directives. Sites designated for their important habitats are known as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), while sites designated due to their importance as core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened bird species are known as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). There are over 25,000 of these designated sites throughout Europe and the aim of the network is to ensure the long-term survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species. Post-Brexit, UK SPAs and SACs are no longer legally part of the Natura 2000 network, however they retain the same titles, purpose and high level of protection under UK domestic law as part of the National Sites Network. There are more than 320 SPA and SAC sites in England, and nearly 900 in the UK. You can find out more here.
“LIFE on the Edge” is a four-year EU funded partnership project (2020-2024) between the RSPB and the National Trust focusing on the creation and improvement of habitat at nine key coastal sites in England, all found within Special Protected Areas (SPAs). By 2024, when it finishes, the project will have recharged shingle habitats, restored salt- and freshwater marshes and created new islands within coastal lagoons. Find out more on the project's website or follow us on social media @projectLOTE.
Coastal habitats under threatOur coastlines are home to a multitude of wildlife including breeding terns, gulls and waders which are vulnerable to human disturbance, predation, and the loss of suitable nesting habitat. In addition, during winter the coast provides safe roosting areas for migrating and wintering birds like Brent Geese and Bar-tailed Godwits.
The UK’s coastal habitats are under threat. Reasons for this include natural erosion, climate change-induced sea-level rise, development and recreational use. The statistics are daunting, since 1945 – 15% of intertidal habitat (the area where the sea meets the land between high and low tide) has been lost, 8,000 ha of saltmarsh has gone, 18% of dunes have disappeared and a staggering 46% of shingle habitat is now no longer there.
The LIFE on the Project is seeking to improve habitats at the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) highlighted on the map shown here. © RSPB.
Supporting nature on the coastTo protect these special coastal habitats and the species that call them home, LIFE on the Edge has been employing some innovative and creative conservation techniques. Here are just a few example of what we’ve been up to since the project began.
Building up islands at Hodbarrow in CumbriaIn the winter of 2020-21, the project focused on extending an existing island and creating a new one at RSPB Hodbarrow to provide additional space for breeding terns, gulls and waders and install new anti-predator fencing. This was very successful with 20 of the 50 Common Terns choosing to nest on the newly created island!
RSPB Hodbarrow. The newly created island (left) and extension to the existing island (right) with anti-predator fencing around it. © Dave Blackledge.
Re-using dredged material at Horsey Island, Essex to create habitat for Little TernsOver the winter of 2021-22, the most important place in Essex for the Little Tern had an ambitious beach recharge using a beneficial reuse scheme (utilizing regularly dredged materials from harbours and ports instead off depositing it into the sea). 50,000m3 (79,336 tonnes) of sand and shingle material was deposited at Horsey Island, where it will provide longer-lasting safe nesting habitat for Little Terns and waders. This was accomplished by the RSPB, in partnership with the landowners, the Environment Agency and Harwich Haven Authority.
Last summer, Little Terns made the most of this newly created habitat, with 14 nests found on the new shingle area, plus a further eight nests on the existing bank, with a total of 19 chicks fledging. That’s an increase of five nests and seven fledged chicks from 2021!
https://youtu.be/ZyNZLRZdXBA
Creating 10 new islands, and much more at Titchwell Marsh, NorfolkIn Norfolk, LIFE on the Edge has been improving the hydrological management of the existing 12-hectare freshwater lagoon at Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk. This includes creating new bunds (sloped embankments), 10 new islands, removing reeds, better water control structures and installing a predator exclusion fence. This work is aimed at benefitting breeding waders, gulls, passage waders and wintering wildfowl.
As a result of all this hard work, 2022 was the best year for breeding birds in over a decade. Bitterns utilised the pool that was extended as a nesting area and the reedbed is supporting a larger number of Great White Egrets, Grey Herons and Little Egrets, meaning the food availability must have increased. Avocets had a peak count of 97 pairs with lots of chicks visible and for the first time in 10 years there were three pairs of Common Terns. It shows just how important it is to keep sites fresh and dynamic!
https://youtu.be/2LPRSi6N-_I
Engaging with the public and reducing disturbance Another key aspect of the LIFE project is to reduce disturbance and work directly with visitors. Local communities and visitors can help protect and raise awareness so that beach nesting birds can successfully nest and raise chicks safely and have a safe place to roost during winter. This work includes engaging local volunteers to find nests, protecting them during the breeding season and engaging with site visitors. Through working with people across areas, including organisations like the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, we can exchange knowledge and improve our solutions to be more effective in protecting these vulnerable birds.
Reflecting on how far we’ve comeOver the past three years it has been fantastic to see how the changes we have made to improve breeding habitats for coastal birds have had such a positive impact. Seeing Little Terns and Ringed Plovers using the new habitat at Horsey Island was a brilliant experience and a reminder that we can and are making important coastal habitats better for breeding birds.
What can you do to help?LIFE on the Edge will finish in October 2024, however the habitat restoration work undertaken during the project will be its legacy benefitting both breeding and wintering species. Organizations like RSPB, National Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, etc will continue to safeguard these important Special Protected Areas sites which both wildlife and people use.
So, if you are visiting the coast in the future, please enjoy the natural environment and remember to #WatchyourStep should there be ground nesting birds around.
Ground nesting birds such as Little Terns can be susceptible to disturbance. #WatchYourStep to keep them safe. © Kevin Simmond.
Continue readingFind out more about our work on coastal habitats:• Marvelling at migratory birds – our work on an avian superhighway • Saving species and habitats in the UK and further afield in 2022 • A view from the mudflats • Looking to the skies - the UK's importance on a bird superhighway • How countries are coming together to save coastal habitats, including for one of the world's rarest migratory birds
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