It's been a busy two weeks since Storm Katie hit on Easter Monday and undid a lot of our seasonal work, nevertheless, on Saturday April 9th, we took some time out to enjoy Langstone Harbour in all it's beauty along with some 30 Sea Kayakers and Canoeists from British Canoeing. The reason for our harbour sojourn was to launch the joint RSPB/British Canoeing guide "You, your canoe and the marine environment". If you've not got a copy yet, why not take a look by clicking here right now.
Sea Kayaking is a great experience. Paddling along silently, close up with the sea without the sound of an engine, you get to experience the sounds and sights that can escape other water users. As with all interactions with nature though, the only way to avoid accidentally harming the amazing (and sometimes fragile) wildlife around you is to be informed, which is where 'You, Your Canoe and the Marine Environment" comes in. The guide is 24 pages packed with interesting facts and advice, from how to recognise whales, how far to stay from nesting seabirds or hauled out seals and even an ID guide to the different species of jellyfish you may see.
With the guide now available, it was pleasure to be able to launch it here in Langstone Harbour. Although observed disturbance of nesting birds by water users has been falling here for the last three years (due to a mix of factors including the Langstone Harbour boards new Kayak map and our little tern project), it's always going to be a potential issue given the harbours close proximity to over half a million people, many of whom love to spend time on it's beautiful shoreline. In order to show just how easily (and enjoyably) wildlife and recreation can coexist with just a little pre-thought and awareness, myself and 30 kayakers met up to have a Saturday on the water.
Above: A 'skein' of Kayakers heading out
Launching from the beach next to the Old Oysterbeds on Hayling Island (affectionately known to many as 'Esso Beach' due to the nearby Petrol Station), I met up with them on the water in the RSPB's boat "The Good Tern" so that I could act as both guide and safety boat should it be necessary. Staying clear of the nesting and roosting birds nearby, we headed out to Long Island, an area which the RSPB keep open for water users to land on so that there's no need to disturb the sensitive wildlife on the other islands. Long Island is the furthest to the right as seen from the Hayling Oysterbeds and has a white sign on it saying 'Welcome to Langstone Harbour - Landing area".
Above: Feel free to land on the end of Long Island (No. 3) but please be aware of the other islands where your presence would be disastrous for our nesting shorebirds.
After a short period spent on the landing area of Long Island (where we used telescopes to enjoy the sights but also tried to stay dry in a short rainstorm), we headed back out onto the water to pass the nesting colony at a safe distance.
The seabird colony Islands in Langstone Harbour are all marked with large yellow signs reading "Access Prohibited - this is a seabird nesting site, disturbance will result in the loss of young seabirds". Please give these appropriate leeway (Aim for at least 100m during the nesting season, April-July) to avoid causing unnecessary damage to the colony. Some of the most sensitive species are well camouflaged, please don't presume the shingle is empty. If you do notice nesting birds react to your presence, please back away until they're settled again.
Above: Passing by the main seabird colony at around 200m.
With the rain and wind having now passed, we got back to a much more enjoyable pace, taking in the sights, sounds and even smells of the harbours resident wildlife! Near the nesting colony, the raucous noise of several thousand Black-headed Gulls rolled over us whilst a small number of Sandwich Terns dived into the sea around us, looking for fish to aid them in their courting rituals. Although no seals were spotted on this journey, they can often be seen peering out of the water at passers by, most regularly on the Portsmouth side of the harbour. After an enjoyable trip of a couple of hours, we headed back to terra firma and dry clothes (or maybe that was just me).
The harbour's wildlife isn't just visible to those on the water of course. Those of you simply after a stroll can enjoy the sites and sounds of a nesting seabird colony close up by visiting the Old Oysterbeds at the West Hayling Local Nature Reserve. Just like water based recreation though, please give them some space by staying to the paths around the nesting islets.