Passionate people of all ages helping beach nesting birds

A dedicated group of volunteers are working hard along the Northumberland coast to help protect nesting shorebirds. 

Each spring, birds such as ringed plover and oystercatchers come here to lay their eggs on sandy and shingle beaches, and rely on our help to keep them safe.  

Efforts to help beach nesting birds are led by wildlife rangers from Space for Shorebirds, the County Council’s ranger service that helps people to protect shorebirds. Volunteers from the Northumberland Coast Conservation Team play a huge role - looking out for where the birds are nesting, creating small areas of refuge for them and talking to beach users about how to help keep them safe.  

Wildlife Ranger Katherine O’Hara said: “Ringed plovers nesting on the Northumberland coast would not be able to do so without the help of our volunteers. 

"Each year we are blown away by their dedication, and by the level of support from the public who give the nesting birds space. It’s thanks to them that the birds are able to successfully raise their young on some of the busiest beaches in the county.” 

One of the most valuable ways volunteers are helping to protect the birds is by keeping a close eye on the chicks as they start exploring their surroundings. When they first leave the nest, they are about the same size as a ping-pong ball and are very well camouflaged against the sand. ‘Chick

Watch’ volunteers of all ages spend time monitoring the young birds and showing them to beach users from a safe distance away using telescopes.  

Conservation Team volunteer Peter, age 84, says: “This will be my third year volunteering with Space for Shorebirds and I thoroughly enjoy helping to protect nesting ringed plovers. 

"Their chicks are especially vulnerable, and I find it very rewarding being able to show beach users the young birds using my telescope.  Many people don’t realise just how adventurous they are! Quite often people come down to the site every day to see how the chicks are progressing and say the experience has been a highlight of their holiday or day trip.” 

Morgan, aged 22, adds: “This is my first year volunteering and I’m very excited to get involved! Having the opportunity to spend time on some of Northumberland’s beautiful beaches and help to protect nesting birds at the same time is a real privilege. I’m looking forward to playing a small part in giving the birds a fighting chance at success.”  

Ringed plover numbers have declined in the UK by almost 50% in the past 25 years and they are red listed for conservation concern. Loss of suitable nesting habitat due to climate change and human disturbance, along with increased predation from crows and rooks has contributed to this decline.  Thanks to the fantastic efforts by volunteers and rangers over the past 5 years the number of nesting pairs of ringed plovers has increased. 

Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning added: “Part of what makes our coast so special is the wildlife, which includes beach nesting birds like ringed plovers, so we are determined to protect them for future generations. 

"We are also committed to providing the homes that people need and helping the tourism industry thrive, so the hard work of volunteers to help raise awareness of how residents and visitors can help protect our wildlife is hugely valued.”  

To find out more about Northumberland's beach nesting birds and those that travel thousands of miles each year to spend the winter here too, head to Space for Shorebirds’ website – www.spaceforshorebirds.co.uk - or follow them on social media for all of the latest news from the coast - @SpaceforShorebirds