Fears dogs to blame for drop in little tern numbers
It has been the worst year for dogs getting too close to the nesting birds, a wildlife trust says.
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"Total dog count in the exclusion zone for May was 427 and that is only from monitoring between 14:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday."
— Derek Wood , Activist
"The birds are arriving already spooked by flooding and disturbance so any additional threat will probably move them on to another site."
— Derek Wood , Activist
"While the majority of dog owners are responsible and considerate, it’s really disappointing that some are taking dogs into the dog exclusion zone."
— Gemma Ptak , Executive
"These birds have chosen our coast after an incredible journey, and they’re relying on us to give them the space they need."
— Derek Wood , Activist
"після років поліпшення ситуації завдяки створенню безпечної зони навколо крячок він не має уявлення, чому все змінилося."
— Дерек Вуд , Activist
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It has been the worst year for dogs getting too close to the nesting birds, a wildlife trust says.
Wildlife conservationists are alarmed by an unprecedented surge in dog-related disturbances affecting little tern breeding colonies this year, with unleashed dogs intruding upon their nesting sites along coastlines.
The population of little terns at Seaton Carew beach near Hartlepool, one of the UK's most important seabird colonies, has decreased by 50% due to uncontrolled dog walking.
Hartlepool Borough Council and Tees Valley Wildlife Trust urge dog owners to take extra care to protect visitors and nesting little terns at Seaton Carew beach, highlighting breaches of the dog exclusion zone.
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