Cleethorpes coastal ranger in timely plea to dog-owners: Please spare a thought for our shorebirds

                                                                         

Black on black - dog has designs  on this carrion crow

 

CLEETHORPES coastal ranger Josh Forrester has appealed to dog-owners not to allow their pets to run at the flocks of shorebirds that spend autumn and winter on the beach and saltmarsh.

Says he: "I routinely monitor recreational disturbance along our coast and have unfortunately witnessed recent incidents where scores of birds were being chased."

The Humber Estuary is a Special Protection Area and home to species such as curlew, redshank and knot which are all in decline.

Although they are seldom caught by canines, disturbance reduces their feeding time and depletes their energy.

In fairness, most dog-owners are responsible. They know that  disturbing birds  - preventing them from feeding or roosting, or causing them to take flight - is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations.

Water-sports enthusiasts, such as jet-skiers and paddleboard-users, are are also urged to stay away from the saltmarsh and sand banks - especially areas accommodating  large congregations of birds.

The memo also applies to birders who sometimes approach too close in their eagerness to snatch close-up photographs.

                                  

Danger beckons - shorebirds know it will soon be their turn to be chased

A handsome beast - but dogs off the lead spell danger for saltmarsh birds such as egrets, redshank and snipe