Summer in Lancashire means a wealth of outdoor opportunities. We’re spoiled for choice with glorious countryside to explore, from heather-clad moorlands to coastal dunes and from ancient woodlands to footpaths through rolling agricultural land.
The scenery is spectacular, the fresh air invigorating and the soothing sounds of nature are everywhere; it’s not hard to see why more people than ever are enjoying the physical and mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.
But that increase in the number of people enjoying the countryside is causing extra pressure on endangered wildlife.
More than half of our most threatened breeding bird species choose to nest on or near the ground and as the places they nest become busy with visitors, the challenges they face increase.
Almost every natural place in the English countryside can be home to ground-nesting birds. From shingle shores to heather filled heathlands, woodland edges and farmland fields.
These birds – including species such as such as the skylark, meadow pipit, redshank, curlew and lapwing – often have nests, eggs and markings that are extremely well camouflaged, which is nature’s way of trying to protect them from predators. But this also means they are very difficult for us to see.
Skylarks, for instance, nest on open land, often farmland, and their eggs can be as small as 17mm; that’s around the width of a 5p piece. A skylark chick’s natural instinct when scared is to stay quiet and stay still to avoid detection which means they are incredibly difficult to see and run the risk of being stepped on.
To give these birds the space they need during the breeding season and the best chance of survival, follow these five easy tips while you’re out around the county this summer.
Stick to public footpaths in the countryside as ground nesting birds will choose to nest away from busy pathways.
If you see or hear an adult bird calling out in distress or trying to catch your attention when out walking, back away to help protect nests from being disturbed. Move as quietly and quickly as possible as birds calling out in distress can also attract predators.
If you have a dog, keep it close to you on a lead when walking through countryside and along beaches during breeding season (from March to August). Dogs running through nesting sites can cause disturbance, leading to adult birds deserting their nests temporarily or permanently, leaving fledglings to get cold or die, or even total destruction of the nest.
Be vigilant and observant walking along beaches as some birds nest near the tide line.
Discarded cigarettes or barbecues can cause wildfires on land suitable for ground nesting birds, so always dispose of these safely and protect the environment.
* The RSPB works closely with landowners, partners and communities to protect ground-nesting birds and wildlife across the organisation’s nature reserves and in the wider Lancashire countryside, and beyond. To find out more, go to rspb.org.uk
Meadow Pipit are relatively widespread and versatile but are on the amber list for conservation concern, nesting on the ground in many habitats ranging from heaths and moors to sand dunes and saltmarsh. A common sight in the dunes at Lytham. Earlier in the spring, the males perform a parachute song, where they fly high into the air and then descend singing as if on a parachute while keeping their wings still. These birds will often have two clutches a year and both parents will attend the nest, brooding eggs and chicks and tend the young.
Skylark nest in a wide range of habitats, with moorland, heathland and farmland probably having the highest densities. They can have up to four clutches a year. Recent dramatic population declines mean they are on the UK Conservation Status Report Red List – the highest priority level.
Lapwing, also known as Green Plover and Peewit in years gone by, used to breed commonly over lowland areas, especially farmland. But changes in land use have altered lapwing behaviour and they now predominantly breed in marshland, reedbed and moorland. They are now fewer breeding lapwings in the UK and they are on the UK Conservation Status Report Red List. The RSPB reserves at Hesketh Out March and Marshside are good places to see them.
Redshank – identified by their bright orangey-red legs – have seen huge declines in breeding numbers due to changes in land use. They breed on coastal marsh and lowland wet grassland. The RSPB Marshside reserve just north of Southport is managed for breeding lapwing and redshank.
The curlew is our largest wading bird and is on the UK Conservation Status Report Red List. They can be seen on the moors in summer and estuaries in the winter. They breed in the uplands, Bowland is a hotspot and the RSPB monitor and survey them carefully because their numbers have declined in recent years, partly because of intensive farming methods. Curlews lay their eggs in a nest on the ground known as a ‘scrape’ and both parents tend the nest and young and a second attempt may happen if the first nest is unsuccessful. It can take 32-40 days after hatching until they fledge.
