Migratory Birds Day brings pause for thought for walkers

This winter, as you walk your dogs along the Cleethorpes coastline, spare a thought for the thousands of migrating birds that are here to feed and rest.

This annual migration is one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles and we can witness it all the way along our coastline.

Saturday October 11 is World Migratory Birds Day – a  campaign that highlights the need for a healthy co-existence between humans and birds.

Twice a year,  in May and October, the focus turns to creating and adapting environments that support migratory bird populations across all communities, and the actions everyone can take to protect our wildlife in shared spaces. 

Bird migration journeys are filled with challenges. Resting and roosting is vital to each bird’s survival and the North East Lincolnshire coastline is a key stopover point for thousands of birds of many different species, many of which will stay for the entire winter.

Like the rest of the Humber Estuary, our whole coastline is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It also holds Special Protection Area (SPA) status, is a Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and forms part of a European Marine Site.

Disturbing SPA 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 2017.

You can help out by enjoying our coastline responsibly:

• Keep to the designated footpaths and stay out of the salt marsh
• Keep dogs under control, prevent them from chasing birds or approaching seals
• Be aware of birds around you
• Move away if birds react to you being near them
• Water sports users must stay away from the saltmarsh and sand banks – especially areas with large groups of birds.

Cllr Henry Hudson, North East Lincolnshire Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Our coastline is vital to the survival of so many species of birds and being able to see them in their natural environment in Cleethorpes is a privilege.

“It is a place where people and wildlife collide, but if we stick to simple measures to create as little disturbance as possible to the birds, we can all continue to enjoy the benefits of our wonderful coastline.”

Find out more about the role Cleethorpes plays in annual migration by watching the Humber Nature Partnership’s Wild Humber video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5rxQMkUftU.