Objectives
The low-lying coastlines support globally important numbers of breeding, migrating and wintering waterbirds. These birds and their habitats are protected within an extensive network of protected areas but are nevertheless under great and growing pressure. This is due partly to natural erosion and deposition, partly to climate change-induced sea-level rise, and partly to developmental and recreational impacts.
The low-lying coastlines support globally important numbers of breeding, migrating and wintering waterbirds. These birds and their habitats are protected within an extensive network of protected areas but are nevertheless under great and growing pressure. This is due partly to natural erosion and deposition, partly to climate change-induced sea-level rise, and partly to developmental and recreational impacts.
- Increase the area and improve the quality of coastal habitats within the target protected areas.
- Develop recommendations for wider scale and longer-term coastal habitats management/creation.
- Strengthen links with practitioners elsewhere in north-west Europe.
Species
The key breeding species targeted will be Sandwich tern Thalassius sandvicensis, common tern Sterna hirundo, little tern Sternula albifrons and avocet Recurvirostra avosetta – and others that will derive major benefits will include redshank Tringa totanus, oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, ringed plover Charadrius hiaticula, herring gull Larus argentatus, lesser black-backed gull L. fuscus and Mediterranean gull L. melanocephalus.
