An exciting update from Wynona, our Ringed Plover Project Officer
After waving off the last fledged chicks of the season in late August, the Plovers in Peril project team are excited to share with you just how special this year has been.
After three seasons of work to provide much needed protection for beach nesting birds at this key site between Snettisham and Heacham, and the fantastic efforts of those visiting the beaches through the spring and summer, we saw a total of twenty-five Ringed Plover chicks fledge in 2023 (from 19 pairs) which is more than double last year’s total and more than a fourfold increase on the total fledged in the projects first year.
When combined with numbers from other sites, including nearby RSPB Snettisham, a total of 40 chicks have fledged from this stretch of beach this year. An increase on last years numbers.
Ringed Plover parent with vulnerable chick. Image credit Phill Gwilliam. Taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance.
Plovers in Peril launched in 2021, in partnership with Wild Ken Hill and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, in response to the worrying declines of Norfolk’s beach nesting birds. Funding for the project has come from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk via the habitats monitoring and mitigation fund.
Now in its third year, the Plovers in Peril project team are celebrating a record season for Ringed Plover with their highest number of fledged chicks to date and we wish to thank the local communities whose support has helped to achieve it.
Before we started this project, there was no protection for the birds here at all, and they were clinging on by a thread, but I’ve always believed it’s possible for beach nesting birds to thrive alongside people at a busy site such as this one.
With results like this, after just three years, that belief is stronger than ever, and it gives us hope for the future. There’s been such a positive movement to look out for these birds and that positivity ripples out.
The success we have seen is testament to this community and to the power people can generate when they come together for nature, and for a species struggling to survive in a rapidly changing world.
Ringed Plover fledgling. Image credit Phill Gwilliam. Taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance.
A record number of Ringed Plover fledglings took flight this season. Image credit Phill Gwilliam. Taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance.
Dominic Buscall, founder of the Wild Ken Hill project, said: “With another year of data, it’s now clear that the RSPB-led efforts to protect beach nesting birds at Snettisham and Heacham are working.
“We continue to support this project at Wild Ken Hill and are extremely grateful for all the support and engagement we’ve had from residents and visitors to the area. This is only possible with the help of the local community”.
The project, which is centred around The Wash, an internationally important site for wetland species, provides the declining birds a much-needed safe space to breed, feed and raise their tiny families on this popular stretch of coast by offering vital protection measures such as seasonal fencing, signage and working face to face with beach visitors.
Alongside project staff, a growing team of dedicated volunteers drawn from the local community have been offering their time and support to raise awareness and protect these special birds throughout the season in all weather.
The team of 40 passionate volunteers has steadily grown since the project began and attracts people from all walks of life who are keen to use their skills in whichever way they can, to help these often-overlooked birds.
Volunteers looking out for Ringed Plover chicks at Snettisham Beach. Image credit RSPB.
One volunteer told us how he first got involved: “I moved to Norfolk a couple of years ago after many years visiting this special place as a birdwatcher. Ironically, I heard about Plovers in Peril in Rutland Water where I attended an inspiring talk at Global Bird Fair and expressed my interest in getting involved. I’m certainly glad I did! It’s been wonderful to be part of a project that is helping Ringed Plovers, a species which are so integral to Norfolk beaches. Sign me up for next year!”
Other volunteers reflected on their time with the project from its beginning: “We were paired up to work together in the projects first year and through our shared commitment to help a wonderful bird on our local beach, we have along the way forged a new friendship. We have learnt so much about these special birds and their hidden lives. It has given us both a new sense of purpose and deepened our connections with the wildlife reliant on the places we enjoy visiting.”
The volunteers receive training before the nesting season so no previous experience is required. Image credit Phill Gwilliam.
The project team were witness to some heart-warming moments this season.
One highlight was following the story of a male Ringed Plover which arrived back to Snettisham to breed wearing a colour ring. The male had been ringed on the coast of Ireland the previous October where he was spending the winter. We followed his journey through the breeding season which saw him, and his partner successfully raise three chicks across two broods here in just a few months – a very hard-working dad indeed!
There was more elation from the team when another pair successfully raised all four of their hatched chicks all the way through to fledging. With so many threats to face at such a vulnerable stage in their lives, it’s quite rare for us to see a full brood of four tiny chicks surviving to make their first flights, so to see them all take to the skies together was a really special moment.
Flightless Ringed Plover chicks are vulnerable. Image credit Phill Gwilliam. Taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance.
The team have also seen their fair share of challenges working on the project over the three years, from the impacts of rising sea levels flooding low lying nests, wild weather giving these birds some testing conditions to breed in, a myriad of predators always looking for an easy meal and sadly the odd incidence of theft, vandalism and disturbance from people entering roped off areas.
It’s fair to say, it has not been an easy journey and the team have stuck out some difficult days to get here, but to see the birds’ future on this site embraced by the people who cherish this beach- not only for its value to them but also for its importance to the wildlife it supports, is heartening to say the least.
The threats facing beach nesting birds are shared across the Norfolk coast, with organisations at key nesting sites working together to halt the declines seen in recent years.
Claire Wiggs, Ecologist for the Borough Council, said: “Protecting shore nesting birds is essential to preserving the integrity of the North Norfolk Coast. The special ecological nature of the area is one of the things people love about visiting West Norfolk, so we are proud to support a project that protects nature alongside people.”
Visitors to Norfolk’s beaches can play their part by reducing the threat to beach nesting birds, particularly during the breeding season, which runs from March to August (always check signage as this can vary from site to site).
By taking a few simple steps, such as keeping away from fenced areas, paying attention to signs, and keeping dogs on leads, beachgoers can make a huge difference to the survival of these important species and secure their future in Norfolk for future generations.
A fledged Ringed Plover taking flight. Image credit Phill Gwilliam.Taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance.
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