The Rangers at Northam Burrows are advising visitors and residents to be extra vigilant at this time of year, as the area welcomes an influx of winter birds. As some UK birds such as swallows and house martins head off to warmer climates, Northam Burrows welcomes a large influx of Scandinavian and Northern European species escaping the harsher winters found elsewhere.
As the birds are likely to be a lot closer to the shore around high tide, dog owners are advised to stick to the designated paths and to keep their dog under control at these times. If dogs run close to or chase flocks of birds that are overwintering or migrating it can affect their future chances of staying healthy enough to survive and breed, especially if they are already exhausted or short of food.
Torridge District Council has been working with other stakeholders to produce a leaflet to raise awareness of this issue and encourage everyone to act responsibly when visiting sites on the Taw and Torridge estuary. This will be made available at tourist information and other visitor centre in the local area.
Despite the need for extra vigilance, it’s a great time for nature lovers to observe all the exotic visitors, which also include Snow Buntings, and Brent Geese. Winter favourites include species such as the Curlew, Golden Plover, Lapwing and noisy native Oystercatchers. Shelduck are also abundant and many of these species like to spend the winter months on the tideline around the salt marshes, sand dunes and sand banks of the Taw and Torridge estuary, which borders Northam Burrows.
As with previous years Rangers are hopeful that with a little effort the right balance between recreation and conservation can be achieved.
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