Blog by David Mason, National Trust - Suffolk and Essex Coast Ranger

During the Autumn/Winter 2023-4 the Eastern fields of Northey Island hosted large numbers of migrating waders and wildfowl as the grass fields changed into intertidal mudflats. 

Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts over the winter have counted a wide variety of birds using this area to feed and roost. Curlew, redshank, dunlin, ringed plover, greenshank, black-tailed godwit, lapwing have been regular visitors.

On one day in October, as the tide came in, I observed a large flock of Lapwing settling on the grass at the water’s edge. An avocet sifted the mud in the new tidal lagoon and little egrets stalked and stabbed their fish prey in the shallow water. Widgeon, teal, brent geese and shelduck floated on the shoreline. A kestrel perched on a nesting platform.

As the tide ebbed they were joined by golden plover that came in to roost on the mud.  Disturbed by a passing marsh harrier the flock wheeled over the island, glinting in the sunlight, with a rush of massed wingbeats as they passed.

Viewed from the new hide over several hours, with a flock of brent geese chattering in the fields behind, this spectacle seemed to me to be the culmination of all the work to let the tide into this area. This is an area in transition however and will not remain a mudflat for long although the steady accumulation of mud is vital for the building of stable saltmarsh, which will form a different but still vital habitat for birds. 

Building saltmarsh.
​The principal objective of the project on the island is to protect and create saltmarsh, following on from experimental work in 1991 to carry out the first managed realignment in England on the island.

Recent surveys have shown that saltmarsh plants are steadily colonising the new intertidal areas. Pioneers like samphire and annual sea-blite have been the first to move in on the bare mud, with saltmarsh grasses, sea aster, spear-leaved orache, sea couch, sea spurrey, sea beet and sea purslane establishing on higher ground.

​Art on the island.
We are running a series of new art events on Northey Island to help raise awareness of the work we’re doing to tackle climate change and rising sea levels.
​
Northey Island is the largest single block of saltmarsh habitat in the Blackwater Estuary, Essex and has been at the forefront of coastal adaptation for the past 30 years.

Since 2020, the National Trust has been undertaking the biggest habitat creation project in the island’s history to help the area better withstand climate impacts.

We’ve teamed up with Sara Hayes of the Public Art Company to deliver a series of interactive, family-friendly events. Throughout 2024, Sara is leading a series of walks and workshops that explore Northey Island’s unique habitats. This will eventually culminate in the island’s very own installation of public art.

Links to previous blogs about Northey Island
​Part 1:  www.projectlote.life/news/northey-island
Part 2:  www.projectlote.life/news/ntconservationadaption
Part 3: https://www.projectlote.life/news/ntwatervoles​
Part 4: www.projectlote.life/news/northey-update

Guest blog by Chris Goding, RSPB Project Officer & Assistant Warden 

Hello everyone! I’m Chris and I am very pleased to have started this year as the project officer with the Chesil Little Tern Project, having previously worked as a tern officer for 3 seasons at RSPB Hodbarrow. Chesil Beach, Dorset, is the UK’s most south westerly site for breeding little tern, and it has been very exciting to get to grips with conservation interventions for such a charismatic species!

​A smaller group within these volunteers work closely with staff members and under licence to carry out nest management within the colony. A particularly interesting part of this work is the ‘sand-patching’ of nests laid on pebbles. Research in the 2000s showed evidence of nest failure as eggs chilled on Chesil’s pebbles. As a result, starting in 2013 nests found on pebbles have been relocated on top of sand patches buried into the shingle. These patches are constructed from flower pots filled with pebbles with roughly an inch of sand on top, separated by a disc of hanging basket lining (see image below). Work to fully assess their impact is ongoing, but current evidence suggests they considerably reduce mortality at the egg stage by providing more optimal incubation temperatures. 

​We also work closely with our local partners at the Wild Chesil Centre, including Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve, who are very supportive with their time and knowledge, and help to locate the little tern project within the wider context of wildlife and visitor management at Chesil Beach. 

​This year has been a great season for the little terns, with 51 nests producing a minimum of 37 fledglings. This estimate is slightly lower than the previous two years, but still represents at least 0.7 fledglings/nest, the productivity needed to maintain population size at the colony. We also had 3 oystercatcher nests within the colony (minimum 1 fledgling), and 4 ringed plover nests (3 fledglings). Great to see other species benefitting from the project, albeit in a modest way.

We are also especially pleased with the new solar set-up powering our electric fence, switching from mains at the beginning of this season. This is hopefully a greener and more independent power source, and has maintained adequate voltage throughout the season with a few minor repairs to the fence itself.

All that remains now (more or less!) is to take down our fencing and temporary hide and store it for the winter. Roll on next season!

Blog by Marie Dipple, RSPB Beach Nesting Bird Coordinator

The journey begins…! 
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Beach Nesting Bird Coordinator, working on the Life on The Edge (LOTE) project, taking over from the brilliant Lizzie Bruce. With 8 years in the conservation sector, and experience as a little tern warden at Chesil Beach in Dorset and Gronant Dunes in North Wales, I am eager to apply the knowledge I've gained in my career so far to this new role. 

Having worked on coastal restoration projects, building partnerships, and contributing to nature recovery strategies, I've learned invaluable lessons from my colleagues and fellow enthusiasts. Following in Lizzie's footsteps, I am determined to continue the great work already achieved and continue building relationships with existing partners and exploring new opportunities. The LOTE project wraps up this year, and I'm excited to be part of the culmination of efforts from our team as well as the dedicated project partners. Although in saying this, I realise I don’t want to be seen taking credit too soon, as I’ve conveniently come in as the reports are being written… 

Happy World Seabird Day!
​July 3rd is the annual World Seabird Day, chosen to mark the last recorded sighting of the now-extinct Great Auk in 1844.
We've marked today with a blog about the seabirds and waders at South Walney Nature Reserve by Rebekah Watts, Shorebird Warden, Cumbria Wildlife Trust 

The Reserve
South Walney Nature Reserve is a coastal reserve which has been managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust since 1963. Located at the Southern end of Walney Island, South Walney Nature Reserve is comprised of a variety of habitats such as dunes, saltmarsh and shingle. This combination of habitats makes South Walney a very appealing location to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. South Walney is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a special protection area (SPA). 

The birds and disturbance
Many bird species reside at South Walney Nature Reserve and throughout the year this reserve is home to species such as ringed plover, oystercatcher and eider. Black tailed godwit, dunlin and knot are examples of wintering species and through the spring and summer, species such as wheatear and little tern spend their time here.

During the breeding season, March through to August, many species breed at South Walney including the UK’s second rarest seabird; the little tern. There is no beach access and dogs are not permitted. These restrictions immensely reduce the stress to nesting birds, allowing them to raise their chicks.

Livestock grazing and the wild population of rabbits ensure that the habitat is in perfect condition for nesting birds such as great black back gulls and lapwing, who choose short grass when nesting, allowing them to observe predators from their position.

The largest gull colony in Europe, comprised of herring and lesser black backed gulls, used to reside at South Walney Nature Reserve, with numbers in excess of 45,000.  Due to predation these numbers dropped dramatically, to around 400 pairs. The installation of a predator proof fence has allowed these numbers to begin recovering. Last breeding season, 2023, the total colony number was 1630 pairs and it continues to rise.

The ground nesting birds that choose Walney as their nesting grounds are in decline. Despite the apparently large amount if herring and lesser black-backed gulls seen in towns, their numbers are falling. Lesser black-backed gulls are amber listed and herring gulls are in even poorer numbers and are a red listed species of concern. Little terns are also amber listed as well as being a schedule one protected species.

Ground nesting birds are easily disturbed. The separation from their eggs and chicks can result in predation from other species such as crows and foxes, and eggs can be cooled. Energy loss can be fatal to a bird, using up energy stored for hunting for food. Repeated disturbance results in adults abandoning chicks and eggs due to stress. 

Other Wildlife
The benefit of these restrictions is not limited to birds. South Walney Nature Reserve is home to a thriving grey seal colony. Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s marine team conduct surveys on these seals during their breeding season, and counted 409 individuals on their last count. The lack of beach access allows the seals to haul out and moult, breed and digest their food without interference.

​Other mammals such as otters, foxes, stoats and badgers also call this reserve home.

Marine wildlife can also be seen when sea watching at South Walney Nature reserve, including bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises and recently, a basking shark! 

​So why is Walney important!
The combination of habitats at South Walney Nature Reserve allows many ground nesting species with different requirements to nest and here successfully. For example, grazed pasture and saltmarsh allows lapwing to nest and to provide their chicks with the correct diet, teaching them to feed on invertebrates in muddy margins. Another example is little tern, who create their nest in sand and shingle, fishing for sand eels in the sea. When given respect and space, ground nesting birds can succeed enormously and that is why it is so important to offer these amazing birds a safe place to lay their eggs and raise their chicks free from disturbance. South Walney Nature Reserve is able to provide this environment and with the public, volunteers and staff with the same vision, wildlife is able to thrive. 

Link to Bekka's other South Walney blog
​First blog: LIFE at South Walney
Second blog: Nesting Season Preparation

​Photo credits: Rebekah Watts

Blog by Rebekah Watts, Shorebird Warden - South Walney, Cumbria Wildlife Trust ​

Nesting Season
Spring has finally arrived and with it, changes are occurring. Flowers are blossoming, days are lengthening and here at South Walney Nature Reserve, birds are carrying sticks and feathers and nests are popping up along our beaches which means that nesting season has begun.

Nesting season is the most important time of year. The productivity of our birds is highly important and to assist them during this season, a lot of preparation is undergone during the Autumn and Winter months.  

Nesting Season Preparations
Funding provided by ‘LIFE on the Edge’ (also known as LOTE) helps substantially at South Walney nature reserve when it comes to nesting season. LOTE is a Life Nature project which is lead by the RSPB and National Trust. This project aims to improve the quality of target coastal areas as well as providing recommendations for longer term coastal habitat management and/or creation, with focus on little tern, oystercatcher and ringed plover. LOTE have provided South Walney with equipment for electric fences such as solar panels and energisers, monitoring equipment such as trail cameras and thermal scopes and permanent hybrid fencing. LOTE also provides funding for a seasonal shorebird warden to work with the sole purpose of protecting coastal nesting birds. With the help of LOTE, we at South Walney are able to provide protection to nesting coastal birds throughout the season.

Preparation for nesting season begins in late August / early September. At this time, we start checking our permanent fences for damage and repairing them. Debris is removed and the gates are shut to stop livestock from entering. Holes in the fence are repaired, wire is replaced and holes dug by predators into the fenced area are filled in. The area around the electric fence is cut back with a brush cutter to reduce interference with the wires. The inside of the fence is also brush cut to create the correct nesting habitat. The fence is now ready to be made live closer to the start of the season.

During the nesting season, temporary electric fences and signs explaining what we are protecting are erected. Before this, the area around the perimeter of the fence is brush cut and litter picks are completed. During this season and the previous season, an area of land to past the boundary wall of the reserve to the north was fenced. This land was kindly temporarily loaned to South Walney Nature Reserve, as little terns choose this location to nest. The habitat is shingle and sand, close to the sea which is a perfect location for terns to nest and fish.

To provide more habitat for nesting coastal birds, a tern raft is moved into place, floating in the pool of the oyster farm. The anchors are dropped, a camera is installed and the raft is ready for occupants. There is a permanently placed raft which is used by the same Oystercatcher pair each year. The parents are currently sitting on eggs there now!

Chick shelters, nest cages and cameras are important to protect vulnerable chicks and adults from predators and extreme weather. Shelters of different shapes (for different chicks) are placed on the tern rafts, inside the fences and along the beaches to provide shelter and safety to chicks. Cameras are crucial for monitoring wildlife. They are placed directly on nests and at crossing points to catch predators. Cameras are placed out early in the season and checked regularly throughout the season.

New to 2024
A new sound lure and hand-crafted little tern and herring gull decoys were created in 2024. In an attempt to attract a mixed gull colony of herring and lesser black backed gulls to nest in a new location, 10 adult and 6 juvenile herring gull decoys were created and placed in a temporary 8 strand fenced area. This fence was put in place at the start of the season with decoys and a trail camera, and has successfully attracted first year herring gull visitors since the addition of the decoy birds. We hope to see these gulls return next nesting season! To attract little tern, 40 little tern decoys were crafted and placed on the tern raft, in the temporary 12 strand fence to the north of the reserve and in the fenced area on Foulney island nature reserve. In combination with the decoys, a sound lure was created and is played on loop in the daylight hours. This has successfully attracted 12 pairs of little terns and we are hoping to see chicks in the next couple of weeks. 

Good Luck, Birds!
Now that fences are live, decoys and sound lures are in place and cameras are being regularly checked, it’s up to the birds to raise their young. We wish them the best! 


Link to first South Walney blog by Bekka: LIFE at South Walney

Photo credits: Rebekah Watts