Winter birds flock to Northam Burrows in stunning numbers

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.

Councillor Lyndon Piper, lead member for leisure, said: "We're lucky in Torridge to live in an area that has such an abundant variety of wildlife and natural habitats to support them. While the coastline is a great place for residents to escape outdoors and take their dogs for a walk, we just need to be a bit more vigilant than usual during the winter months.

“It’s so important that we don't allow our dogs to chase after the birds that flock to our shores. It’s vital that they have the chance to recuperate and build up their energy reserves so they make it back safely to their spring breeding grounds and their numbers are preserved or improved.”