This week is National Volunteers' Week and we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who have given their time to helping beach nesting birds!
Plovers in Peril – an RSPB project in partnership with Wild Ken Hill and funded by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk first launched in March 2021, taking a vital step to halt the worrying declines in the number of breeding ringed plover and oystercatcher- two species of beach nesting bird - which nest on the busy shores of Snettisham and Heacham South. These two popular beaches are key breeding sites for ringed plover - which are now red listed as a bird of conservation concern and oystercatcher which are currently amber listed with UK breeding populations for both species having suffered rapid declines in recent years.
A ringed plover chick taking its first flight. Image: Phill Gwilliam.
With a seemingly endless array of challenges faced by these birds, their survival at this site is hinging on the support of the community and support from those who choose to visit these beaches throughout the spring and summer months. Thankfully for us (and the birds), in this community, there are a lot of people who are proud to have beach nesting birds calling these beaches home and some of you want to take action to keep it that way!
We haven’t been short of people from the local community stepping forward to offer their time and help to give these birds a flying chance and we now have a team of 30 dedicated volunteers giving a voice to beach nesting birds on this important strip of coast. This opportunity has enabled people who feel worried about the uncertain future of the some of our most unique wildlife to take direct action and inspire positive change just a stone’s throw from their doorstep.
A growing team of volunteers. Image: RSPB.
“Volunteering as a beach ranger gave me the opportunity to help wildlife in trouble on my doorstep. With so much bad news about declines in wildlife in the media it was good to actively play a part in helping to raise awareness of a declining species that everybody using the beaches can help to protect.” – Plovers in Peril beach ranger volunteer.
Our volunteers are at the heart of this project and from the beginning this team have gone above and beyond to see that these enigmatic birds have a future on this coast. In 2021 our team of volunteers gave a whopping 1192 hours of their time for beach nesting birds – returning week after week, rain or shine to keep a close watch over these birds and monitor their progress throughout the season.
“One week can be very different from the next! Through the season you get to see the bird’s stories unfolding before your eyes, be it their courtship displays, new nests or newly hatched chicks! There are always different visitors to chat to especially when the weather gets warmer and as the season progresses you start to meet some familiar friendly faces each week amongst the regular beach visitors and local community.” - Plovers in Peril volunteer
Our volunteers are a bridge between people and the unseen birds that rely on these beaches, they take time to show visitors just how incredible these tenacious birds can be, pointing out newly hatched chicks and sharing stories of success and struggle, making connections and nurturing awareness.
A newly hatched ringed plover chick and vulnerable camouflaged eggs. Image: Wynona Legg (image taken as part of vital monitoring work)
The presence of volunteers on these beaches gives these birds the helping hand they need when they are at their most vulnerable through busiest months of summer and they are always ready to take on any extra tasks, be that sharing their passion for plovers at public events or helping to install and repair vast swathes of fencing before the start of the season - and then offering to help take it all down at the end of the season! Not to mention that they do all of this whilst supporting one another along the way, keeping others in the team lifted on difficult days when high tides and other challenges pull the birds fate outside of our control.
So, to all our volunteers – THANK YOU - for all you do for beach nesting birds. What you bring to the RSPB is vital and what you have achieved for the project so far is awe inspiring. We couldn’t do it without you, and we are so excited for what the next five years will bring - who knows what we can achieve next with your passion behind us!
Feeling tempted to give it a go?
We are still looking for volunteer beach rangers to help protect, monitor and spread the word about vulnerable beach nesting birds breeding on the sand and shingle beaches between Snettisham and Heacham in Norfolk. If you think this opportunity might be for you and you are able to spare a few hours a week then click here to apply or to find out more. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please think about supporting us with our work for Plovers in Peril.
Come and say hello to us if you see us whilst out and about on the beach! We look forward to chatting with lots of you and getting to know what this place and its special wildlife means to you.
You can help these birds have a successful year and ensure they return to nest here for years to come. Help us protect beach nesting birds by:
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 #WatchYourStep
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!
See you on the beach!
- Wynona and Ben