Back at the coast
It is so great to be back out at the coast.
Before Christmas I got an injury which prevented me from getting out to the coast to do site work. Space for Shorebirds Rangers tend to spend 3 or 4 days a week outside at the coast, mainly talking to people about the birds and undertaking disturbance monitoring work, so it was quite a wrench to suddenly be stopped.
Last week I finally got back outside, first of all to Newbiggin, one of my favourites and a place which offers so much to shorebirds; sand, mud and wonderful rocky shore. One of the most important roost sites in the county at Beacon Point and a place where we have had some brilliant support from local people.
The day summed up everything I’d been missing, the wind was howling, waves crashing high on the rocks and the sun was beaming down which made the birds look radiant. Hundreds of dunlin and sanderling, with turnstone, purple sandpiper, redshank, oystercatcher and curlew by the dozen. What a place! For many birds just being there is a miracle of their migration from the far north (Greenland, Iceland, Canada, Scandinavia and Svalbard). Each bird with it’s own little life story.
Then I realised what I’d been missing, during the long winter months much of inland Northumberland experiences a quiescence, life is there yes; redwings, fieldfare and nocturnal mammals, but generally the pace of life slows in order to survive. Here at the coast the urgency and wildness is plain to see and feel, as the birds throng in the rush to gather enough energy for the day. It’s invigorating! Creating those moments where your senses are full and your mind is fixed in the present.
Almost weekly we see new reports about the health benefits people get when experiencing nature. GPs are even prescribing nature programmes now as a complimentary treatment for stress, anxiety and other conditions. This provides people with the framework and motivation to take time out to engage with nature. In a recent trial led by the RSPB and delivered by GPs in Edinburgh, 74% of respondents felt that they benefitted from a nature prescription.
My feeling is that these experiences become even more meaningful with some knowledge about the birds, increasing the connection between people and wildlife.
This is why running our Shorebirds for Beginners Guided walks and bird watching sessions is so important for us and why we have been so thrilled at the response we’ve had from the people in Northumberland. Here are just a few of the kind comments we’ve received from people who have joined us:
“Thanks Katherine and Richard for all your knowledge and enthusiasm, really enjoyed the walk and learnt lots”
“Absolutely lovely morning, really interesting & Richard & Katherine were both so kind and welcoming. Such an important thing to learn about our birds and how our actions walking along the coast can impact them.”
“Thank you to Katherine and Richard for a very informative walk with a friendly group of people ,look forward to identifying shore birds on my beach walks”
It’s a very simple idea, to make the nature on our coast more accessible, for everyone. When we say it’s for beginners we really do guarantee that no knowledge of birds is required. Just bring your interest, your questions, oh and your big coat. We also keep the groups small so its more of a conversation rather than a presentation. Do have a look at which events are available now – Events – Shorebirds (spaceforshorebirds.co.uk)
Whichever way you experience the wildlife of the Northumberland coast, be it on your own, with your partner, your family, with your dog or as part of group such as our guided walks nature will help to give you a lift. Especially if you can take the time to stop for a moment and let the nature of the coast fill up your senses.
Finally if you see us when you’re out and about at the coast, give us a wave, we’re always happy to talk about what you’ve seen at the coast.
Reference – RSPB Scotland, (2021) Prescribing Nature: Supporting the health of people and nature.
