Operation Seabird launched in Lincolnshire

A police-led initiative to protect Lincolnshire's coastline and its wildlife has been launched.

Operation Seabird was revealed at Saltfleetby NNR on 4 April, with organisations across the Yorkshire, Humber and Lincolnshire coasts coming together to raise awareness of the area's spectacular wildlife. It was first launched in August 2020 at Flamborough Head.

The launch involved visible police patrols looking out for disturbance and antisocial behaviour and offer advice to visitors about how they can minimise their impact on our coastal wildlife along the Humber Estuary European Marine Site.

Western Marsh Harrier is one of the special breeding birds that Operation Seabird aims to help (Romano Da Costa).

Regarded as one of the most important estuaries in Europe for its wildlife and habitats, the Humber Estuary spans the North Sea from Spurn peninsula to north Mablethorpe.

During the spring and summer months, the reedbeds and shingle on the beaches support elusive and sensitive birds such as Eurasian Bittern, Western Marsh Harrier and Little Tern during the breeding season.

Over the autumn and winter months, the land and skies around the Humber Estuary fill with migrating birds such as Pink-footed Goose, with the rich and fertile habitat providing a welcome food source after their long journeys from Scandinavia and Iceland.

Humber Nature Partnership (which includes local authorities along the Humber and Lincolnshire Coast, Natural England, Environment Agency, RSPB, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and many other stakeholders) received 190 reports of wildlife disturbance from members of the public during 2022.

Many of these incidents were likely by people who did not know they were causing an issue, such as impacting breeding success or the overall health of these legally protected species and habitats. Operation Seabird aims to engage with and educate members of the public on issues around wildlife disturbance.

Twite winters on the Lincolnshire coast (Alan Jack).

DC Aaron Flint, Force Wildlife Crime Officer for Lincolnshire Police said: "The Lincolnshire coastline is a very important feature of our amazing county, providing habitat for wildflowers, insects, reptiles, birds and mammals.

"It also attracts many visitors each year. Unfortunately, each year we receive a large number of reports relating to members of the public disturbing wildlife such as nesting birds or resting seals, damaging the features of our SSSIs either on foot, using motorbikes or off-road vehicles, or airborne vehicles such as paramotors.

"The focus of Operation Seabird is to protect our important coastline while also allowing members of the public enjoy it responsibly, this is done mainly through educating the public regarding the need to keep their distance from wildlife to prevent disturbance, stay on footpaths and public areas and not to drive motor vehicles on the sites to prevent destruction of SSSI features.

"It's important to note that although education is the main focus of the operation enforcement action and prosecutions will be taken where necessary."

Jackson Sage, Project Manager for the Humber Management Scheme at Humber Nature Partnership, added: "The Humber Estuary is home to up to 140,000 breeding and migratory birds, marine mammals such as seals and Harbour Porpoise, all supported by tens of thousands of hectares of delicate habitats protected under UK law.

"We want people to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and wildlife we have on our doorstep, but do so in a way that does not come at the expense of the important species and habitats that we are so lucky to have."