The project team has been shocked and saddened to discover multiple incidences of deliberate vandalism at the nesting site in recent weeks, with rope cordons cut and fence posts snapped and pulled from the ground, putting nesting Ringed Plover at risk at their most vulnerable time as the settle on eggs at Snettisham and Heacham beaches.
The vandalism comes as news of the first Ringed Plover nests of the season were announced a week before. Concerns were raised for us when the project team noticed that there had been some damage to the cordon surrounding the Ringed Plovers’ protected nesting area during one of our daily monitoring visits.
At first it was a removed sign and a snapped fence post, but more recently we have seen repeated acts of intentional vandalism where rope is being cut in multiple places and posts pulled out of the ground, causing damage to fence cordons that are designed to protect the Ringed Plovers as they nest and raise their chicks on the beach.
Vandalised cordon with post pulled out of the ground. Credit RSPB.
Cut rope of fence cordon. Image credit RSPB.
Cut fence rope to nesting area. Credit RSPB.
The fencing, has been installed each spring since 2021, carefully timed for the arrival of the nesting birds at this important site. It protects the fragile, camouflaged eggs and chicks of both Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers from being crushed underfoot or scared off the nest by beach visitors and off-lead dogs. Both birds nest on the ground and lay their eggs from April onwards.
We are working alongside the local police and wish to appeal to the local community for any information.
The reported vandalism is happening primarily around Heacham dam between Snettisham and Heacham South. (What3Words///library.masks.encroach) starting on Wednesday 16th April and with the last incident reported on Monday 5th May.
Staff and volunteers will be keeping a close watch over sensitive sites and reporting any suspicious activity directly to local police with whom they are working closely. Police officers will also be doing patrols in the area.
PC Chris Shelley says, “We want to remind everyone that disturbing nesting birds is a criminal offence. We are working closely with the RSPB and other partner agencies to safeguard these vulnerable birds. If you witness any such crime, please contact the police immediately.”
We are asking members of the public to:
The Plovers in Peril project is funded by the Borough of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk and relies on additional funding to cover material costs. With a limited budget, needless vandalism, no matter how seemingly small, has a significant impact both financially and in time spent diverted away from the daily awareness raising and nest protection work that these birds so desperately need to survive here.
We have just experienced some really high spring tides at the site and some nests have been lost. The extra threat of the vandalism is only adding to this pressure and making them more vulnerable.
Project staff and volunteers are on site every day, monitoring the nesting birds and their chicks and engaging hundreds of beach visitors so that any disturbance to them is limited.
This project is crucial for raising awareness of the birds and the challenges they face from a growing list of threats and we have seen record breaking success in recent years thanks in large part to the support offered by local communities, which is helping these vulnerable birds successfully fledge their chicks.
To find out more about the project: Email ploversinperil@rspb.org.uk to speak with one of the team.
Ringed Plover eggs. Credit Les Bunyan.
Nesting season runs from March until end of August, and you can help more chicks make it to hatching (which takes 25 days) by doing a few simple things on your beach visit:
Want to do more? Why not volunteer with us! As the project gears up for nesting season, the team needs extra support from those local to the site who may have a few hours to spare and who might be keen to help give beach nesting birds a voice at this important site. We have a number of beach shifts available on both weekdays or weekends and can be flexible around your commitments. So, if you’re inspired about joining the team can click on this link to find out more and how to apply.
Join the conversation by reading our community blog or by following @RSPBTitchwell on Facebook or Twitter, Tagging #PloversinPeril.
Thank you for supporting these special birds. We look forward to seeing you out on the beach!
The Plovers in Peril team
#PloversinPeril #SnettishamBeach #RSPBSnettisham