Council's appeal to all dog-walkers - please show respect for wildlife, not least our wetland birds

Dog on the rampage on a part of the beach favoured by curlew - a long-legged bird of mudflat and saltmarsh 

    

ENJOY our resort - but not at the expense of our birds!

This urgent appeal has been issued by North East Lincolnshire to mark the start of the bird-nesting season.

In a statement, it says: "Cleethorpes and the Humber Estuary are  internationally important for wetland birds, and now is a prime time for nesting.

"We are urging everyone who visits the coastline to observe safety measures to protect nesting birds from disturbance, particularly along the mudflats and the saltmarsh, including Tetney Marshes.

"Birds can be disturbed in a variety of ways.

"While a leadless dog chasing a stick may seem harmless, birds see a dog as a predator and automatically take flight, causing them to leave the nest and putting eggs and fledgling birds at risk."

The statement continues: "Several species of birds make their home in the saltmarsh, including oystercatchers and bar-tailed godwits. 

"A number of these species  are internationally important and have special protected status.

"Preventing birds from feeding or roosting and causing them to take flight is a criminal offence, and offenders can be prosecuted under the EU Birds Directive.

"Most people respect the area but a minority are causing a nuisance and disturbing the rare birds as they roost."

NELC asks beach visitors are asked to help protect the birds by following these simple steps:

* Keep to the designated footpaths

* Keep dogs under control

* Respect the seasonal dog ban on the main tourist beach between Cleethorpes North Prom and the Leisure Centre that continues until the end of September. 

NELC is issuing a similar plea to water sport enthusiasts. 

It urges  paddleboarders and jet skiers to maintain a distance from the saltmarsh, particularly at high tide, to avoid disturbing birds.

The Grimsby News says: The council's statement is not particularly well timed. By the end of March, almost all the wetland birds that spend autumn and winter here have flown north to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and the Arctic.  None nest on our beaches. What is more, it is only seldom that  godwit and oystercatcher make their home in the saltmarsh, even in autumn and winter  - they are typical species of beach and mudflat. That said, we vigorously applaud the sentiment and intent behind the council's plea. Most dog-owners are thoroughly responsible and respect bird life, but there are a few who don't care a jot. Here's hoping the minority might - sooner rather than later - heed NELC's important message. 

Poor practice - the dog is on a lead but it is an area of Tetney Marshes frequented by redshank and snipe

This godwit escaped a canine's  jaws, but, with a damaged wing, it will soon
perish

Please don't kill me! The squawk for mercy from this injured gull went unheeded - moments later the bird was dead