Shorebird protection measures on Northumberland coast deemed 'heavy-handed' by local councillor

The National Trust has cordoned off an area to the north of the Long Nanny burn, near Beadnell, to protect little terns and increase its chances of attracting ringed plover.

In a letter to Beadnell Parish Council, it explained: “We are not able to provide the usual ranger presence, however we are trying to manage the site day to day in a way that will at least give the birds the best possible chance of breeding success and survival.

“On May 4, our rangers began closing off the site with the intention that the north side access remained open due to the inaccessibility of Miller’s Nick.

“While setting up the site, however, it became apparent that due to the position of the burn, a significant number of people were walking close to the dunes on the north side of the burn, making social distancing impossible and preventing the recovery and stabilisation of the sand at the edge of the dunes.

“Ringed plover, a shorebird in steep decline across the UK, have also been seen in the area and could potentially nest here, protected from the tides and disturbance.

“We therefore made the decision to close the north side of the burn and place signage further down the beach to ensure we could inform people before they reached the site that the tides would shape whether the low tide access or caravan park route was the best route to take to start a circular walk.

“We have received a very small number of complaints as perhaps might be expected at this time of year when we put diversions in place. These have focused around the blue ropes, access to benches and informal routes and the inability to view the birds. The rangers are monitoring feedback and reacting where they can.”

However, the move was branded ‘heavy-handed’ by Coun Adrian Baker.

He said: “A lot of upset has been caused by this heavy-handed approach. They reckon there are birds nesting around the north side of the Nanny burn but everyone you talk to says they are all on the south side.”