Media release FOR IMMEDIATE
PUBLICATION
The RSPB is appealing for
visitors to the Westcountry’s estuaries to put wildlife first, in the hope it
stops incidents of wintering birds being disturbed. The problem is particularly
acute on the Exe estuary, where thousands of geese, ducks and waders
congregate, including winter-residents and migratory birds passing through. But
many other of the Westcountry’s estuaries also hold internationally important
numbers of wintering birds, and the last thing they need is to be disturbed by
people, their dogs, or by machinery of one kind or another.
Dogs not being kept on leads
where birds are gathered are a perennial problem, which has now been joined by
contemporary menaces, such as intrusive drones and, occasionally, microlight
aircraft being flown above flocks at very low altitude. The Exe estuary’s large
flock of Brent geese offer an example: every year thousands arrive after their
3,000-mile journey from Siberia, and the last thing they need is to waste
energy flying around after being disturbed by people, dogs, drones, or
microlights.
Peter Otley, site manager for the
RSPB’s Exe estuary reserves, said: “The Exe is one of the best places in the UK
to see geese, ducks and waders in winter, it’s a wonderful but fragile place
and the birds are sensitive to disturbance. “So we urge everybody to put
wildlife first if they visit the estuary and are near estuary’s birds. “You
can’t miss the flocks, they’re obvious, from the air as well as on land, so
please keep your distance and let the birds go about their business in peace.”
Autumn and winter is a great time to watch waterfowl and waders and the RSPB
has some advice for making the most of birding trips to the region’s estuaries:
A spokesman said: “Waders and other estuary species, such as avocet,
black-tailed godwit and widgeon, feed on exposed mud at low tide and roost
above the tide line when the water covers their feeding grounds.
“Favoured areas of shingle and
mud sometimes draw thousands of birds together as they wait for the tide to
fall again. It’s best to get in a good viewing position an hour or two
beforehand, so that you can see the birds fly in, and, of course, avoid
disturbing them as you come and go.”
Ends For further information,
images, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Chris Baker, RSPB
Communications Officer, 01392 453299 / 07701 050010
Notes: The RSPB’s recently
refurbished hide at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, is a superb place to see many
of the waterfowl that congregate on the Exe estuary, and the high tide roost
makes it one of the best places to see birds in South West England. Thinking of
taking up bird watching? The RSPB is running a taster session at Dart’s Farm on
November 3, in advance of its popular Birdwatching for Beginners course,
beginning in March next year. The evening will include talks on migration of
birds to the area in autumn and winter, the importance of the Exe for wildlife,
and on some of the skills involved in becoming a birdwatcher, together with
information about the full course.
Booking is essential and the
taster session costs £10 (free to RSPB members).
Booking and further information
on 01392 432691 or by email: swbooking@rspb.org.uk Chris Baker Communications
Officer Tel: 01392 453299 Mobile: 07701 050010
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