So many of you lovely visitors have been doing your best to protect these birds by being mindful of nesting birds and young chicks on the beaches at Snettisham and South Heacham, keeping a safe distance away from fenced areas and walking your dog’s responsibly on leads throughout the nesting season (April- end of August). Staff and volunteers have been working hard to give these birds the protection they so desperately need and though the journey is often an emotional one, we have been lifted by some incredibly heart-warming chats with those visitors showing support for the project and love for these special birds.
It’s been a tough season for Ringed Plovers across Norfolk and sadly Snettisham and South Heacham have been no exception. With challenges like rising high tides, predation pressure and an increased number of human and dog visitors to these beaches, the birds are struggling to raise their families safely here.
But just before you lose hope, let us share with you some exciting news…
Despite the relentless challenges they have faced, we have been able to witness two of our oldest chicks fledge successfully! Together we have seen them through the start of their journey from their first appearance as eggs on the shingle to flying strong through the skies over The Wash. From the size of a chip, they are now almost unrecognisable from the adult birds on the beach. With strong wings and big curiosity for exploring the big wide world, it’s hard to know for sure where they might be now or what they might be getting up to! Sometimes we are treated to sightings of this year’s fledglings on our beaches amongst the feeding adults and we like to think our two are amongst them, keeping an eye on us as we continue in our efforts to protect their kin.
Fledged ringed plover chicks, Phill Gwilliam
And if that news wasn’t special enough, in true tenacious Ringed Plover style - we excitedly announce the arrival of some very new, very tiny chicks hatched on these beaches this week. These brave and determined birds are having one final flurry, with a current total at 7 chicks – and they are pulling out all the stops to get their chicks safely into our skies. You only have to observe the parent birds in action to witness their dogged determination of these birds for yourself – tearing through the skies after herring gulls nearly 20 times their weight and utilizing their broken wing display to divert passing visitors away from their vulnerable families.
Ringed plover chicks, Phill Gwilliam
We will be doing all we possibly can to see that these vulnerable chicks get the best possible chance of making it to their first flights. It takes three anxious weeks for these tiny fluffballs to grow feathers strong enough to get them airborne and until then they are totally flightless, indescribably small and incredibly vulnerable.
What we can all do to help:
1. Pop your four-legged friends on a lead on the beach until end of August:
If chased by a dog off the lead, the stress alone can be enough for a heart so tiny as theirs and each loss is a huge blow for the survival of this species which are in global decline. Responsible dog owners play a huge part in turning the falling fortunes of these and other beach nesting birds around and we are so grateful for your support throughout nesting season. Thank You!
2. Watch your step! Human feet are giants footsteps to these chicks and they are often unable to move out of the way in time, please watch your step and if you see adults alarm calling move away carefully.
3. Pick your route mindfully to keep chicks safe:
At low tide the parents will take small chicks down the beach to feed on the mud for marine worms (delicious!) and at high tide they move back up the beach to feed on insects in strandlines nearer the dunes. Please be mindful of this when deciding on a walking route - or better still use the dune path along the top to take in the view without disturbing these vulnerable families. With a pair of binoculars, this is the best spot to watch them fluff -tumbling about free from worry!
4. Have your say and help us to secure a safe future for these birds on our beaches by completing our survey!
We want to see a future where the wildlife that makes these beaches so uniquely special can thrive and flourish alongside our enjoyment of the beach and all that brings. We need you! By giving a few moments of your time to tell us about your visit, we can take steps toward shaping this future together for both people and wildlife.
Please visit https://bit.ly/3fq4yxh to complete the 5-minute survey.
Ringed plover chick, Phill Gwilliam
We look forward to seeing you on the beach and sharing with you stories of their little journeys into a big world.
Best wishes
Wynona
Ringed Plover Project Officer