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RSPB NWNorfolk

An exciting update from the Plovers in Peril project team

We are so excited to share that the first chicks of the season have hatched on Snettisham and Heacham beaches! 

With all that rain and wind keeping them clinging to the safety of the egg for just a little longer, we have been on the edge of our seats waiting for them to hatch safely, but some sun (at last!) has coaxed them out, and with chicks hatching from ten nests in less than a week, class of 2024 has started strong- and keeping up with them all has certainly been keeping the team on their toes! 

Speaking of toes- please join us in crossing all of yours for the other chicks due to hatch from the remaining nests over the coming days and weeks! Currently these unhatched chicks will be growing strong in the fragile shells of their eggs, vulnerable on the ground amongst the sand and shingle of the upper shore, protected by the warmth of mama and papa birds, and with a little help from our protective fencing and a team of dedicated volunteers. 

Once hatched from the safety of the egg, it takes only a few hours for these tiny chicks to find their feet and work out just what their oversized legs can do! Next thing you know, they are tumbling about all over the beaches like matchstick sized Indiana jones’ – these chicks might be tiny, but they adventure BIG! In fact, the first sign that there are chicks about is usually the sound of parent birds alarm calling in a frenzy to keep them out of trouble! Or perhaps the sound of our volunteer team willing them on as they make their perilous, month-long journey to find their wings!

Can't wait to get to the beach to get a peek at these cute little fluffballs? We have written a guide to help you! Read on to find out how you can help and how to get the best views of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher chicks without disturbing them or stressing out their already pretty frazzled parents! 

 

Watch out for us! Ringed Plover chicks have a keen sense of adventure at just a few days old and often go exploring well beyond the fences. Image by Phill Gwilliam. (taken with a long lens to avoid disturbance)

How can I watch Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher chicks without disturbing them?

  1. Put your fur friends on a lead – dogs are super scary to these tiny birds, and flightless chicks are unable to get out of the way of an excited pup. Chicks can die from shock if chased, even if our dogs mean no harm. If you have a dog with you on your walk, please keep them on short leads during nesting season (March to end of August) to help these chicks make it to adulthood. If you are lucky enough to have a calmer dog that doesn’t chase, please help us by putting them on a lead to encourage others to do the same. By supporting us with this, we can all help to make these beaches a safe place for growing chicks, and you’ll enjoy seeing these special birds on these beaches for years to come!
  2. Always watch birds from a distance – This way, you will get to watch them behave naturally and enjoy seeing their best beach gymnastics as they tumble about on unsteady legs. When chicks panic, they sit tight to the ground (a little like a stop, drop and roll type situation!) and getting good views of them becomes impossible. If we can hear birds alarm calling, it tells us that we are too close – step back until the alarm calls stop and if you watch carefully, you’ll see the adult birds regroup the chicks and take them to safety.
  3. Give young chicks and their parents a wide berth- once hatched, they don’t stay inside the fenced areas! If you can see chicks with adults ahead on the beach, give them a wide berth as you pass so they don’t become separated from mum and dad - this can make them vulnerable to predators like gulls. As the tide drops, parent birds will take their young down to the soft mud to feed on nutritious worms, then as the tide rises again, they will move them up the beach to feed on insects on the upper shore. Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers are exceptional parents and never take their eye off their tiny families, steering them away from danger when they need. By giving chicks space, we can help them to keep their chicks safe until their wing feathers catch up with their sense of adventure!
  4. Struggling to see them? Our volunteer beach rangers are out on the beach every day and love to be asked about the birds, to point out tiny chicks or lend some binoculars to get you a better look. So, give our volunteers a wave when you’re out and about, tell us your stories and if you have questions -ask away!

 

A young chick camouflaged against the shingle - so watch your step! Image by Les Bunyan (taken with a long lens to avoid disturbance)

People passing too close or dogs off the lead are scary for a chick the size of a cotton ball! Please give them space and if you hear alarm calling, move away to avoid separating them from mum! Image by Phill Gwilliam (taken with a long lens to avoid disturbance)

Got a few hours to spare? Why not join our team! Take a look at our beach ranger advert and find out how to apply or get in touch with our project officer Wynona.Legg@rspb.org.uk to find out more.

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 species like the Ringed Plover.

Tag us: #PloversinPeril #RSPBSnettisham 

Got a question or want to get in touch? Chat to us and have your say about the protection of these birds – your voice matters! Email Wynona.Legg@rspb.org.uk. We would love to hear from you