As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 8 November 2015

Estuary visitors warned - please do not disturb the migratory birds

By WMNPBowern  |  Posted: October 28, 2015

Wildlife experts are appealing to the public to take care around the estuaries of the Westcountry this autumn after a number of incidents in which migratory wildfowl were disturbed.

The problem is especially acute on the Exe estuary, where thousands of geese, ducks and waders – both resident and those just passing through – can be seen in the late autumn and winter.

But other estuaries where internationally important numbers of waterfowl gather to feed and rest are also susceptible to human disturbance and the advice from the RSPB is to take care and keep dogs on leads in areas where birds are gathered.

Tony Whitehead, speaking for the RSPB in the Westcountry said: “Every year thousands of birds flock to the Exe from the far north. Right now, just off Exmouth the estuary’s large flock of Brent geese, is ‘refuelling’ on the rich eel grass beds having recently flown in from Siberia.

“They are no doubt tired and hungry after their 3,000-mile journey from the Taymyr peninsula and the last thing they need – to be honest – is to be accidently disturbed by people and dogs and to then waste energy flying  around!”



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