photografix
Tuesday 19th June 2007, 12:41
The following press release has just been sent out by the RSPB.
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Rare birds are likely to be protected under proposals announced today for increased public access to England’s coast.
The RSPB wants coastal access improved and the four options, drawn up for government by Natural England, include safeguards protecting sensitive wildlife sites such as estuaries, saltmarshes and cliffs.
Plans include assessments of sites for their wildlife value and diversions away from wild bird breeding areas. They also propose funding for farmers and landowners to manage land opened up to the public in an attractive and environmentally-friendly way.
Thousands of birds including peregrine falcons, redshank, little terns and ringed plover, some of which are in decline, breed on cliffs, mudflats and coastal marshes and would be seriously harmed if public access caused disturbance.
Gwyn Williams, Head of Reserves and Protected Areas said: “Our concerns have been taken on board and we are confident coastal access will be increased without harming important sites for wild birds.
“It is important that people visit and enjoy the coast and part of that is the appreciation of the wildlife that thrives there. Coastal access, managed properly, should increase visitors’ understanding of the benefits of wildlife conservation.”
Ends
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Rare birds are likely to be protected under proposals announced today for increased public access to England’s coast.
The RSPB wants coastal access improved and the four options, drawn up for government by Natural England, include safeguards protecting sensitive wildlife sites such as estuaries, saltmarshes and cliffs.
Plans include assessments of sites for their wildlife value and diversions away from wild bird breeding areas. They also propose funding for farmers and landowners to manage land opened up to the public in an attractive and environmentally-friendly way.
Thousands of birds including peregrine falcons, redshank, little terns and ringed plover, some of which are in decline, breed on cliffs, mudflats and coastal marshes and would be seriously harmed if public access caused disturbance.
Gwyn Williams, Head of Reserves and Protected Areas said: “Our concerns have been taken on board and we are confident coastal access will be increased without harming important sites for wild birds.
“It is important that people visit and enjoy the coast and part of that is the appreciation of the wildlife that thrives there. Coastal access, managed properly, should increase visitors’ understanding of the benefits of wildlife conservation.”
Ends