Call for beach measures to protect feeding birds

Ornithologists have called for restrictions on beaches to allow migratory birds to feed.

Mick Dryden of Jersey Birds said he would like to see parts of two or three of Jersey's beaches set aside so birds from northern climates could safely feed without disturbance.

He said that could involve dogs being kept on leads as the birds expended much-needed energy when disturbed.

Species including Brent Geese, Turnstone, Oystercatchers and Curlews arrive in the island during autumn from countries such as Canada, Iceland and Russia to feed up on seagrass before they return to their breeding grounds.

Mr Dryden said: "They're all coming here for one reason - and that is to survive the winter.

He added: "These birds are dependent for their survival on being able to feed at these places.

"If constant disturbances are preventing them from doing that, then the birds can't be in a good enough condition to migrate the thousands of miles back north where they're going to breed - and the end product is that they don't."

He said the birds could only feed at low tide so their time was limited.

"If their time is spent flying around because people are disturbing them then they're not feeding and are burning up energy instead of gaining it," he said.

He said he would like to see a part of Grouville Bay protected during the winter for feeding birds but other parts of a couple of beaches during the summer months when some species breed.

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