Things are looking different on the beaches at Snettisham and Heacham South!
The recent big tides, though dramatic to watch, arrived at a frustrating time for our beach nesting birds, with a few pairs of Ringed Plover still with eggs in their nests. For some birds, these nests were their last chance at success this year but with tides of over 7m (and some!) combined with strong winds whipping up the waves, sadly the remaining nests on the Plovers in Peril nesting site were lost.
Big swells at the nesting site on Thursday 3rd August. Image credit: RSPB.
Young chick hiding on the upper shore, Image credit: Phill Gwilliam,
Thankfully at this point, many of the chicks were flying already and any parent birds still with tiny chicks were able to move them to safety. We are delighted to report that these little families are still very much on our beaches. They are doing very well and growing fast but they are still not yet able to fly so remain incredibly vulnerable at a crucial stage in their little lives.
We’ve been busy out on-site repairing fencing in priority areas to protect these vulnerable chicks.
You may have also noticed that we have started to remove some sections of fencing where we know there are no longer nesting birds or flightless chicks. Though with some of this fencing gone, this means more beach to explore for us, please remember it is still nesting season until 31st August and there are still flightless chicks exploring the beach alongside us.
There are still small chicks on the beach that need our help this August. Image credit: Phill Gwilliam.
Over the next couple of weeks, the remaining little fluffballs need all the help they can get to grow strong and get airborne so… if you’re planning a beach trip in August please remember to:
All seasonal fencing will be removed and seasonal dogs on leads restrictions lifted on 31st August.
Up, up and away!
Many of you walking the beaches over the last few weeks will have perhaps been privy to one of the most uplifting sights of summer – a glimpse of this year’s ringed plover chicks making their very first flights on this very special beach. A beach on which they were born and will hopefully return to, to breed themselves.
As we progress through the season, its always incredibly heart-warming to watch as tiny fluffy chicks hatch from their fragile eggs and start to explore the beach. With each visit, it’s a joy to see them grow bigger and stronger despite all the challenges they face from predators and people. It’s a real emotional rollercoaster for anyone watching out for them, but I think the biggest reward after all the “will they - wont they make it” worry, is the moment you watch a young chick discover it has wings, and the life changing moment they realise that mastering the skill of ultra-high-speed foot travel was in-fact just level 1!
Volunteer and talented photographer Phill has captured some of these special moments on camera (using a telephoto lens and observing from a safe distance so as not to interrupt their flow- v important!), so as the nesting season draws to a close, get your fix of cuteness here before the beach empties of all that fluffy joy for another season.
If you’ve not had the joy of witnessing a ringed plover chick’s first flights, why not spend some slow moments watching the chicks on the beach from a safe distance – you may even get a lift off!
Level 1: When your wings haven't quite caught up yet its important to practice your run-up for take-off. Image credit Phill Gwilliam.
A stretch of the wings to strengthen the flight muscles. Image credit: Phill Gwilliam.
Flight fuel is key! Image credit: Phill Gwilliam.
A standing start. Image credit: Phill Gwilliam.
We have lift off! A Heacham South fledgling takes flight. Image credit: Phill Gwilliam.
Stay tuned for end of season updates to find out how the birds have fared this season!
As the season slows down, keep your eye on our channels for updates on how the beach nesting birds have done at Snettisham and Heacham this season. We are excited to share the seasons successes with you soon and want to take this moment to say a HUGE thank you to all those who have shown support for beach nesting birds so far this season. Your support makes a big difference to the future of these tiny birds.
Follow us on our journey to protect these amazing birds. Join in the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages, share your stories and photos and help us speak out about how we can help vulnerable beach nesting birds.
Tag us: #PloversinPeril #RSPBSnettisham #WatchYourStep
Got a question, want to get in touch or get involved? Contact our Project Officer via Email at Wynona.Legg@rspb.org.uk. We would love to hear from you