The RSPB Plovers in Peril team were pleased to partner with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk on Friday 2nd September to run the projects first beach clean to mark the end of nesting season for vulnerable beach nesting birds and to raise awareness of their plight on Norfolk coasts.
It was inspiring to see so many new faces from the local community turn out alongside dedicated RSPB volunteers to support the project and to show their pride for keeping their local wild spaces clean and safe for wildlife. Just over 15 bags of rubbish were collected from the upper shore from Snettisham to Heacham South leaving the beach spotless in time for those autumn beach walks to watch the sunset over the Wash.
Cllr Terry Parish alongside some of the RSPB volunteers and members of the local community removing litter on the upper shore. Image credit: Phill Gwilliam
These beaches provide vital nesting habitat for two species of bird which make their modest nests on the ground in sand and shingle. Ringed plover and oystercatcher are suffering severe declines in recent years, intensified by visitor activity on coastal sites across the UK as they are easily disturbed, and their camouflaged eggs and flightless chicks are incredibly vulnerable to dangers. Litter picking activities though always well intentioned, can cause disturbance to nesting birds if carried out during peak nesting season - March to end of August so where possible it helps to support beach cleans organised outside of these times.
Fragile ringed plover eggs. Image credit Les Bunyan. Ringed plover chick. Image credit Phill Gwilliam.
With the chicks now safely airborne, the team were on site on 31st August to remove seasonal fencing along with lifting the seasonal restrictions that have offered such vital protection to the birds, eggs and young through the season.
With the upper shore clear, the beach clean offered the perfect opportunity for the team to sweep the beach of any unwanted litter that had collected on the upper shore during the season. It is hoped that the event will be the first of a series of annual events organised by RSPB and partners to clean the upper shore before and after nesting season – limiting disturbance from litter picking activities organised at peak times when the birds are most vulnerable.
Beach clean well underway. Image credits Wynona Legg & Phill Gwilliam.
The RSPB want to thank borough councillor Terry Parish, chairman of the single use plastics working group (SUPWG) who was Instrumental to the organisation of this event.
Project Officer Wynona says, “We are so grateful for the support of our local councillors in raising awareness of the issues facing the wildlife and habitats on the Norfolk coast.”
“Seeing the collective power of people working together to save nature and protecting the places that mean so much to them makes me proud to be a part of this community. We all have our own stories to tell about these places close to our homes and the special wildlife that inhabits them. To see people choosing to be custodians of species that are struggling to hold on in this changing world gives me hope that people and wildlife can share the shores here side by side.”
Ringed plover with chick. Image credit Phill Gwilliam.
Cllr Terry Parish says “On behalf of the residents of Heacham, I would like to thank Wynona and her team of volunteers for their hard work and perseverance in doing something positive for nature on Heacham’s foreshore. It’s wonderful to work with the RSPB who aim to make things better for people and wildlife on our beaches. In the evening, after the litter pick, Wynona provided an excellent talk about ringed plovers which will be repeated in the Spring. I can thoroughly recommend this talk to any group interested in local wildlife and its environment. I thank Heacham Parish Council for providing the venue.”
The RSPB hope to work alongside the borough council again in March 2023 to give Snettisham and Heacham South beach a spring clean before the birds get busy building their unique nests once again. For now though, as wader numbers build and geese start to arrive, why not pause and connect with nature as the sights and sounds of the Wash transition from bustling breeding birds to winter waders and wildfowl filling the skies around us.
With thanks to the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk and the Norfolk Coast Partnership for their generous funding and support and to our partners Wild Ken Hill who enable us to carry out our important work.
Thank you for protecting beach nesting birds by supporting us in our work.
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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