4.6 firth of forth - bto · the firth of forth was counted during the winter of 1992–93, with all...

E S T U A R I N E W A T E R B I R D S A T L O W T I D E

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4.6 FIRTH OF FORTH

LTC site code: BFCentre grid: NT0182JNCC estuarine review site: 88Habitat zonation: 5713 ha intertidal, 8032 ha subtidal, 64 ha nontidalStatutory status: Firth of Forth SPA (UK9004411), Firth of Forth Ramsar (7UK153)Winter waterbird interest: Red-throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,

Slavonian Grebe, Cormorant, Pink-footed Goose, Shelduck,Wigeon, Mallard, Scaup, Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter,Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher,Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin,Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank,Turnstone, Waterbird assemblage

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Firth of Forth occupies a large proportion ofthe coast of south-east Scotland, with the LTCsite extending downstream from Stirling as faras Earlsferry on the north shore and NorthBerwick on the south shore. The inner parts ofthe site (upstream of the Forth Bridges) haveextensive intertidal flats but much of the shorefurther downstream is essentially non-estuarinein character, with more isolated areas of flats,especially at Aberlady and Gosford Bays, DrumSands and Musselburgh. Saltmarsh occurs inplaces around the site, notably between Alloa andGrangemouth and at Aberlady Bay. With such alarge site, almost all types of possible human-related activities and disturbance occur, includ-ing leisure (onshore and offshore), industry (har-bours, an offshore oil terminal, an oil rig repairsite, etc.), dredging of sea-bed sand andexploitation of natural resources, whilst there is

a history of reclamation for industrial uses (H.Dott pers. comm.).

COVERAGE AND INTERPRETATION

The Firth of Forth was counted during the winterof 1992–93, with all four months covered. TheForth is one of the largest sites covered by theLTCs. Figure 4.6.1 shows the positions of the 127sections counted for the survey.

Figure 4.6.2 shows the overlap between the SPAand LTC areas. With such a large site, it is notfeasible to discuss every slight departure in detailand a careful examination should be made by anyuser of the data. Broadly, however, the SPAextends further downstream than the LTC site,to Fife Ness on the north shore (although a longstretch of shore is not within the SPA) and toDunbar on the south shore (including theTyninghame Estuary). Additional areas at Gullane,

FigurFigurFigurFigurFigure 4.6.1:e 4.6.1:e 4.6.1:e 4.6.1:e 4.6.1: LTC sections at the Firth of Forth, winter 1992–93


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FigurFigurFigurFigurFigure 4.6.2:e 4.6.2:e 4.6.2:e 4.6.2:e 4.6.2: LLLLLTCTCTCTCTC and and and and and SP SP SP SP SPAAAAA boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with overlapoverlapoverlapoverlapoverlap,,,,, at the Firth of Forth

Grangemouth and around the north end of theForth Bridges are also included within the SPA.There are a few areas of the firth for which LTCswere carried out but which are not part of theSPA, such as west of Burntisland, parts of theinner firth upstream of the Kincardine Bridge andthe south shore just west of the Forth Road Bridge.The boundaries of the Ramsar site are entirelycoincident with those of the SPA.

Given that the Forth is such a large site, mostbird movements take place within the site (e.g.Symonds et al. 1984), not to other neighbouringsites. There is no evidence for a daily interchangeof birds between the Forth and the Eden Estuaryto the north or the Tyninghame Estuary to thesouth-east (H. Dott pers. comm.). As with mostsites, the wild geese on the site are mostly presentat night-time roosts, spending the day feeding onsurrounding farmland. Sea-duck movements areless clear, with the size of the site giving plentyof opportunity for birds to disperse far offshore.

WATERBIRD DISTRIBUTION

Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1992–93 are presented for 22 of the 28 species ofprincipal interest listed above. For clarity, smallerdots are used to display the distributions of severalof these species. Additional maps of total birdsand total birds weighted by 1% threshold valueare also presented (Figure 4.6.3). Of the remainingspecies, Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes, Scaupand Velvet Scoters were unrecorded during thecounts and Red-throated Divers and CommonScoters were recorded in only small numbers. Itis unlikely that any of these species were entirely

absent. During the 1992–93 winter themethodology of the scheme was still underdevelopment and the count form did not list anyof the diving ducks or other more marine species.Although some counters recorded some of thesespecies in the ‘additional species’ boxes on therecording forms, other evidently did not, as thefocus of the scheme was on the intertidal habitat.As a result, the distribution maps for Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye and Red-breastedMerganser probably should be consideredincomplete to varying degrees.

The totals maps show a complex pattern aroundthe site, but do reveal higher overall densities ofbirds around Aberlady Bay to Port Seton, Edinburghto the Forth Bridge, either side of Grangemouthand in Largo Bay. Many species were widelydistributed although perhaps localised at thesmaller scale. Species found mostly on the outerestuary were Eider, Long-tailed Duck, RingedPlover, Turnstone and Grey Plover. Species morerestricted to the inner estuary were Great CrestedGrebe and Pink-footed Goose, the latter speciesusing the site mostly as a nocturnal roost.Shelducks and Wigeon were mostly found on theinner firth but also at Aberlady Bay andBurntisland. Black-tailed Godwits were almostexclusively recorded on the flats east ofGrangemouth. Although widespread throughoutthe estuary, concentrations of Golden Plovers and,to a lesser extent, Lapwings were typically highlylocalised.

F I R T H O F F O R T H


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4.7 LINDISFARNE

LTC site code: DLCentre grid: NU1141JNCC estuarine review site: 91Habitat zonation: 322 ha intertidal, 19 ha subtidal, 24 ha nontidalStatutory status: Lindisfarne SPA (UK9006011), Lindisfarne Ramsar (7UK005)Winter waterbird interest: Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Light-bellied

Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Eider, Common Scoter, RingedPlover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Dunlin, Bar-tailedGodwit, Redshank, Waterbird assemblage

SITE DESCRIPTION

Lindisfarne is one of the largest intertidal systemsin north-east England and one of only two barrierbeach estuarine systems in the UK. The intertidalflats are largely protected from the waves of theNorth Sea by Holy Island and by offshore dunes.Most of the site is predominantly sandy in nature,although Budle Bay and Fenham Flats are muddier.Extensive Zostera beds are present in places, witha fringe of saltmarsh around the margin. There isa small harbour on Holy Island but no otherindustry present, with most activities recreationalin nature. Wildfowling occurs in some parts ofthe site but others are designated as refuges.


Lindisfarne was included in the scheme during1992–93, when four monthly counts were carried

Figure 4.7.1: L L L L LTC sections at LindisfarTC sections at LindisfarTC sections at LindisfarTC sections at LindisfarTC sections at Lindisfarne, winter 1992–93ne, winter 1992–93ne, winter 1992–93ne, winter 1992–93ne, winter 1992–93

out. However, due to the limited counteravailability at the time, only the Budle Bay areaof the site was covered. Figure 4.7.1 shows thepositions of the five sections counted for thesurvey.

Figure 4.7.2 depicts the relationship of the areacovered by the 1992–93 LTCs to the greater SPAarea. Coverage was limited to Budle Bay, butcomprehensive within this area. Clearly, anassessment of bird usage of the SPA should takethis limited coverage into account. The boundariesof the Ramsar site are entirely coincident withthose of the SPA.

Whilst movement of waterbirds regularly occursbetween different areas of the larger site (e.g.waders roosting at Budle Bay but feeding atFenham Flats), Lindisfarne is rather isolated fromother major estuarine sites, such as the Forth


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and Tees, or even more minor ones at the Tweedand Alnmouth. It seems unlikely that many birdsmove between Lindisfarne and any of these siteson a daily basis. However, the non-estuarinecoast north and south of the site is highly suitablefor many waterbirds and some dispersal is likelyto occur. Greylag and Pink-footed Geese disperseinland to feed and also use nearby Holburn Mossas an alternative roost site. Common Scoters and,to a lesser extent, Eiders may move well offshoreat times (M. Hodgson pers. comm.).


Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1992–93 are presented for 11 of the 16 species ofprincipal interest listed above. Additional mapsof total birds and total birds weighted by 1%threshold value are also presented (Figure 4.7.3).Of the remaining species, Whooper Swan, Light-bellied Brent Goose and Common Scoter were notrecorded on the part of the site covered by thecounts, whilst Pink-footed Goose and RingedPlover were noted in only very small numbers.

The totals and weighted totals maps shows thatthe inner part of Budle Bay, especially east of theWaren Burn, was much more densely occupiedthan the outer bay. The only species mappedshowing a preference for the outer bay was Eider

Figure 4.7.2: LLLLLTCTCTCTCTC and and and and and SPSPSPSPSPAAAAA boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with overlapoverlapoverlapoverlapoverlap, at Lindisfar, at Lindisfar, at Lindisfar, at Lindisfar, at Lindisfarnenenenene

(in small numbers), with Redshank fairly evenlydistributed. Bar-tailed Godwits and Dunlin bothused the outer bay but in lower concentrationsthan the inner parts. Other waders were almostexclusively found on the inner bay, Golden Ploversoccurring in the highest concentrations of any ofthe waders here. Wigeon was the dominantspecies of wildfowl, found on all count sectionsbut mostly on the north-west and south-eastsections of the inner bay. Small numbers ofGreylag Geese (and the few Pink-footed Geese)occurred in the north-west inner bay andShelducks were found evenly around the innerbay.

L I N D I S F A R N E


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GREY PLOVERGOLDEN PLOVER

WIGEON EIDER

GREYLAG GOOSE

TOTAL WEIGHTED

Figure 4.7.3 (i) Low tide waterbird distributions recorded at Lindisfarne, winter 1992-93

SHELDUCK


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Figure 4.7.3 (ii) Low tide waterbird distributions recordedat Lindisfarne, winter 1992-93

LAPWING KNOT

DUNLIN BAR-TAILED GODWIT

REDSHANK


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4.8 TYNE ESTUARY

LTC site code: ETCentre grid: NZ3466JNCC estuarine review site: 96Habitat zonation: 89 ha intertidal, 283 ha subtidal, 0 ha nontidalStatutory status: Northumbria Coast SPA (UK9006131), Northumbria Coast Ramsar

(7UK140)Winter waterbird interest: Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Tyne Estuary is relatively long and narrow,with steep sides and consequently only smallamounts of intertidal habitat. Much habitat hasbeen lost to industrial development over the lasttwo centuries, including about 60 ha of intertidalmud at Jarrow Slake in 1992. The Tyne is nowlargely urbanised and industrialised from themouth up to Ryton, some 20 km up river. As wellas the city of Newcastle itself, the estuary isflanked by Tynemouth, Jarrow, Wallsend andGateshead. Water quality has inevitably beenpoor, but is now improving following implementa-tion of secondary and tertiary treatment inconjunction with the decline in heavy industry.Disturbance levels are high and better waterquality may further increase recreationalpressures. One small high tide refuge has beenincorporated in the redevelopment in the upperestuary and a refuge was recently incorporated in

the secondary sewage treatment works in the lowerestuary. The North Shields Fish Quay, well knownfor its gull populations, is to be developed forhousing. Despite the small intertidal area on theTyne and the highly industrialised nature of thesite, bird numbers have increased dramaticallysince the 1980s and the remaining intertidalhabitat is thus of importance in a regional context(R. Norman, D. Turner pers. comm.).


Counts were made for the scheme during all fourmonths of the 1998–99 winter. Figure 4.8.1 showsthe positions of the 14 sections counted for thesurvey. As can be seen, much of the length of thelower estuary was not counted, due partly toaccess difficulties but also because most of theintertidal flats in the lower estuary are typicallyonly a few metres wide and hold few birds (R.Norman pers. comm.).

Figure 4.8.1: L L L L LTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the Tyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuary, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99


49

The area covered for the LTCs overlaps with theNorthumbria Coast SPA but only marginally so,at Tynemouth (Figure 4.8.2). Clearly the LTCsprovide few data for an assessment of the birdusage of the SPA (or the equivalent Ramsar site,the boundaries of which are almost entirelycoincident with those of the SPA).

The Tyne Estuary is relatively isolated from otherestuarine habitat, with interchange between hereand the Wear Estuary to the south or the BlythEstuary to the north not likely to be significanton a day-to-day basis. However, as Figure 4.8.2shows, the mouth of the estuary overlaps with astretch of non-estuarine coast which is importantfor wintering waterbirds and so some interchangehere is likely. As at other estuaries, Lapwingsand Golden Plovers making use of the estuaryalso use the surrounding countryside for feed-ing.


Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1998–99 are presented for the two species of prin-cipal interest listed above. Additional maps of totalbirds and total birds weighted by 1% thresholdvalue are also presented (Figure 4.8.3).

Given the very narrow shore width over much ofthe site, bird densities can be relatively high. The

key area in the upper estuary was betweenRedheugh Bridge and Derwenthaugh, with largeflocks of waders using the mudflats on the southbank at low tide. The maps show that all of thePurple Sandpipers and almost all of theTurnstones recorded at the site occurred at NorthShields, the area which overlaps the SPA.Amongst other species, Cormorants werewidespread, with slightly higher densities towardsthe mouth. Small numbers of Teal were found inseveral places, the majority located betweenRedheugh Bridge and Derwenthaugh. Redshankswere widespread but densities were highertowards the mouth. Golden Plovers were localisedinto a few dense flocks, as is typical for thisspecies.

Figure 4.8.2: LLLLLTCTCTCTCTC and and and and and SP SP SP SP SPAAAAA boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with overlapoverlapoverlapoverlapoverlap, at the T, at the T, at the T, at the T, at the Tyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuaryyne Estuary

T Y N E E S T U A R Y


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TOTAL

WEIGHTED

PURPLE SANDPIPER

TURNSTONE

Figure 4.8.3: Low tide waterbird distributions recorded at the Tyne estuary, winter 1998-99

T Y N E E S T U A R Y


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4.9 WEAR ESTUARY

LTC site code: CWCentre grid: NZ3958JNCC estuarine review site: 97Habitat zonation: 20 ha intertidal, 42 ha subtidal, 0 ha nontidalStatutory status: N/AWinter waterbird interest: N/A

SITE DESCRIPTION

The river Wear flows down from the northernPennines through the county of Durham beforeentering the North Sea at the port of Sunderland.The river is estuarine in character up to about asfar as the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)centre at Washington. The estuary is very narrowand no mudflats of appreciable size are present.Around Washington WWT reserve, the estuary isflanked by parkland and farmland, but it soonenters the highly industrialised city ofSunderland, where pollution and general distur-bance are an issue.


The Wear Estuary was counted for the schemeduring the four months of the 1995–96 winter.Figure 4.9.1 shows the positions of the 19sections counted for the survey. It should benoted that coverage was patchy, partly due toaccess and partly due to a perceived lack of birdson some parts of the site.

Figure 4.9.1: L L L L LTC sections at the WTC sections at the WTC sections at the WTC sections at the WTC sections at the Wear Estuaryear Estuaryear Estuaryear Estuaryear Estuary, winter 1995–96, winter 1995–96, winter 1995–96, winter 1995–96, winter 1995–96

The Wear Estuary overlaps with one SSSI but this(Wear River Bank SSSI) is designated only for itsgeological interest. At the mouth of the estuary,the area covered for the LTCs does not overlapthe Northumbria Coast SPA.

The site is quite isolated from other estuariesand daily movements between here and the Tyne(to the north) or Tees (to the south) would seemunlikely. Interchange with adjacent non-estuarinehabitats is likely, such as along the adjacent non-estuarine coastal shorelines, or with the Wash-ington WWT reserve and other terrestrial habitats.


Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1995–96 are presented for total birds and totalbirds weighted by 1% threshold value (Figure4.9.2).

The totals maps suggest that most bird interestwas between the A19 bridge and the Queen


52

Alexandra bridge, although they should beinterpreted with care, given the partial coverageof the site. Overall density on the count sectionsnear the mouth of the estuary was very low.Amongst the individual species, Goldeneyes werevery localised along the north shore north of

W E A R E S T U A R Y

WEIGHTED

TOTAL

Figure 4.9.2: Low tide waterbird distributions recorded at the Wear Estuary, winter 1995-96

Pallion, with Lapwings concentrated along thesouth shore just upstream of here. Dunlin weremore widely distributed within the area betweenthe A19 and Queen Alexandra bridge. Curlews andRedshanks were found over most of the parts ofthe site that were counted.


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4.10 TEES ESTUARY

LTC site code: DTCentre grid: NZ5326JNCC estuarine review site: 98Habitat zonation: 574 ha intertidal, 1172 ha subtidal, 82 ha nontidalStatutory status: Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA (UK9006061), Teesmouth and

Cleveland Coast Ramsar (7UK089)Winter waterbird interest: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Shelduck, Shoveler, Lapwing, Knot,

Sanderling, Redshank, Waterbird assemblage

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Tees Estuary is the largest and most importantestuarine site on a long stretch of the east coastbetween the Humber and Lindisfarne. Thesurveyed site includes the lower estuary of theRiver Tees, the adjacent Greatham Creek and SealSands, along with the associated sandy beachesof Tees Bay between Hartlepool and Redcar. TheTees Estuary has suffered greatly from habitatloss caused by land-claim; around 3,300 hectaresof intertidal land have been lost since 1720,initially for agriculture but latterly for industrialand port-related development, including the TeesBarrage. The result is a highly industrialisedestuary, dominated by heavy industry and petro-chemical plants, which pose a potential pollutionthreat to the site’s wintering waterfowl. However,given that little or no new land-claim is likely,more serious long-term impacts are thought to

Figure 4.10.1: L L L L LTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the TTC sections at the Tees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuary, winter 1996–97, winter 1996–97, winter 1996–97, winter 1996–97, winter 1996–97

derive from sediment change (the incursion ofcoarser marine sediments) and the developmentof dense mats of Enteromorpha algae. Bran Sands,which lies close to the South Gare breakwater, isvery heavily exploited by bait collectors. There isalso disturbance from watersports around theestuary mouth and from beach recreation alongsome stretches of Tees Bay (M. Leakey, R. Wardpers. comm.).


Low tide counts of the Tees took place during thefour months of the 1996–97 winter. Figure 4.10.1shows the positions of the 28 sections countedfor the survey. The peripheral non-tidal wetlandswere not counted for the LTCs.

Figure 4.10.2 shows how the LTC and SPA


54

boundaries overlap. The large amount of land-claim and industrial development around the Teeshas led to a very fragmented estuarine system,as can be seen from the SPA boundary. Much ofthe area designated as SPA is covered by thecounts. The major areas which were not coveredwere the non-estuarine shore on and to the northof Hartlepool headland, some of the rocky scarsoff Redcar and the non-tidal marshes andfreshwater pools. Areas covered by the LTCs butnot designated as SPA included the shorelinebetween Seaton Carew and Hartlepool, the eastbank of the River Tees around Dabholm Gut andthe mudflats on the north bank of SeatonChannel, adjacent to Hartlepool Power Station.The Ramsar site covers a smaller area than theSPA, notably not including the mudflats along themain channel of the River Tees.

The Tees Estuary is very isolated from otherestuarine systems and no interchange of birdswith other estuaries takes place on a daily basis.However, the adjacent non-estuarine shores arehighly suitable habitats for a number of speciesand interchange occurs on a daily basis, asevidenced by observations of colour-ringed birdsand general observation of flight-lines. Forexample, Knot are known to feed and roost inlarge numbers on and to the north of HartlepoolHeadland as well as to Coatham Rocks to thesouth-east (M. Leakey, R. Ward, M. Pienkowskipers. comm.).


Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1996–97 are presented for six of the eight speciesof principal interest listed above. Additional mapsof total birds and total birds weighted by 1%threshold value are also presented (Figure 4.10.3).Of the remaining species, no Little Grebes andvery few Shovelers were recorded, these speciesmaking more use of the adjacent non-tidal wetlandhabitats.

The totals map shows the highest densities onSeal Sands, at Greatham Creek and upstreamalong the river Tees, whilst the weighted map givesless emphasis to Greatham Creek but more toCoatham Sands, as well as an area towards themouth of the river at Teesport, the latter largelydue to the presence of a flock of Scaup there inFebruary 1997. The northern outer beaches,between North Gare and Hartlepool, appeared tohold low densities of birds, although thedifficulties of viewing birds on the offshore LongScar may have given a somewhat false impression.Cormorants were widespread, especially aroundSouth Gare and Bran Sands. Shelducks weremostly concentrated on Seal Sands, withLapwings highly concentrated at Greatham Creekand Sanderlings showing a clear preference forthe outer parts of the site, especially CoathamSands. Knot and Redshank were both morewidespread, although the former showed atendency towards the outer estuary and the lattertowards the inner estuary.

Figure 4.10.2: LLLLLTCTCTCTCTC and and and and and SPSPSPSPSPAAAAA boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with overlapoverlapoverlapoverlapoverlap, at the T, at the T, at the T, at the T, at the Tees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuaryees Estuary

T E E S E S T U A R Y


55

T E E S E S T U A R Y

Figure 4.10.3: Low tide waterbirddistributions recorded at the Tees Estuary,winter 1996-97

TOTAL WEIGHTED CORMORANT

SHELDUCK LAPWING KNOT

SANDERLING REDSHANK


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4.11 HUMBER ESTUARY

LTC site code: CHCentre grid: TA2118JNCC estuarine review site: 100Habitat zonation: 9246 ha intertidal, 7525 ha subtidal, 863 ha nontidalStatutory status: Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast (Phase 1) SPA (UK9006111),

Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast (Phase 1) Ramsar (7UK077)[Also Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast (Phase 2) proposed SPA(UK9006112), Humber Flats, Marshes and Coast (Phase 2) proposed Ramsar (7UK145)]

Winter waterbird interest: Cormorant, Bittern, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon,Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Scaup, Goldeneye, Oystercatcher, RingedPlover, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Sanderling,Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank,Waterbird assemblage

SITE DESCRIPTION

The upper parts of the Humber estuary arerelatively narrow and muddy. At the confluenceof the Rivers Ouse and Trent is the RSPB reserveof Blacktoft Sands which acts as an importanthigh tide roost as well as comprising the mostextensive area of reedbeds in the estuary.Downstream from here, several large islands arepresent mid-channel, although this part of theestuary is very mobile and their positions canvary between years (leading to a disparity withcommercially available maps). From the HumberBridge outwards, the north and south shoresbecome increasingly distant from one another andthe mudflats widen, reaching their widest at SpurnBight. The outer parts of the southern shorecontain the majority of the saltmarsh on theestuary, with the actual extent of saltmarsharound Grainthorpe much greater than that shown

Figure 4.11.1: L L L L LTC sections at the Humber EstuaryTC sections at the Humber EstuaryTC sections at the Humber EstuaryTC sections at the Humber EstuaryTC sections at the Humber Estuary, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99, winter 1998–99

on currently available commercial maps (and thuson the maps here presented) (J. Walker pers.comm.). Being such a large site, there are bothnatural shorelines and extremely industrialisedareas, the latter particularly around Hull andGrimsby. The petrochemical industry, commercialshipping and fishing are all important industrieslocally.


The Humber Estuary was counted for the schemeduring all four months of the 1998–99 winter. Forreasons of counter availability, the south shorecould only be covered out as far as GrainthorpeHaven. Figure 4.11.1 shows the positions of the43 sections counted for the survey.

Figure 4.11.2 shows the overlap between the SPAand the area covered by the LTCs. It should be


57

noted that the Humber is being designated as anSPA in two phases. Most of the Phase 1 area wascovered by the LTCs, except for the outer southHumber. However, some areas counted for thescheme (notably the River Ouse between Blacktoftand Goole, the north shore adjacent to Hull andthe south shore around Immingham) were out-with the Phase 1 designation. It is intended thatthese latter areas will be, in part at least, includedwithin Phase 2 of the SPA designation (followingpreliminary designation as SSSIs), although theboundary has not, at time of writing, beendetermined. The Ramsar site status is similar,involving a two-phase designation, of which Phase1 is complete and Phase 2 is ongoing. The bounda-ries of the Phase 1 Ramsar site are almost thesame as those of the equivalent SPA, the slightdifferences being due to digitisation of slightlydifferent mean low water marks in places, pre-sumably from maps made in different years asthe estuary is mobile and has an ever-changingshape.

With such a large site, most short-term birdmovements take place within the site as opposedto movements to other sites. Some dispersal takesplace north and south along the coast and up-stream along the Rivers Ouse and Trent. The largeflocks of grassland plovers also disperse inlandto feed during the day.


Low tide distribution maps from the winter of1998–99 are presented for 20 of the 22 species ofprincipal interest listed above. For clarity, smallerdots are used to display the distributions of many

of these species. Additional maps of total birdsand total birds weighted by 1% threshold valueare also presented (Figure 4.11.3). Of the remainingspecies, low numbers of Scaup were noted duringthe counts and Bitterns were unrecorded; thelatter species frequents adjacent reedbeds suchas those at Blacktoft Sands. Scaup were presenton the Humber (as well as on the North NorfolkCoast) in high numbers during the winters of1995–96 and 1996–97, perhaps as a result of acold-weather influx from the continent, but num-bers have been much reduced subsequently.

The totals maps shows that the highest overallbird densities occurred at Blacktoft Sands, SouthFerriby, Goxhill Haven, Pyewipe, Saltend and LittleHumber. The weighted total map generally mirrorsthis picture with only slight local differences, suchas an increased emphasis of the New Hollandshore. Several species were found more commonlyon the outer estuary, these being Brent Goose,Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling andBar-tailed Godwit. In contrast, species occurringcompletely or predominantly on the inner estuarywere Wigeon, Teal and Mallard. The latter species,along with Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye andMute Swan, were present in their highestconcentrations around the jetty at New Hollandwhere grain is spilt during unloading of ships.Black-tailed Godwits were highly localised,although numerous, in the Pyewipe area, arelatively recent development. Cormorant,Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing,Dunlin, Curlew and Redshank were more wide-spread.

Figure 4.11.2: LLLLLTCTCTCTCTC and and and and and SPSPSPSPSPAAAAA boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with boundaries, with overlap overlap overlap overlap overlap, at the Humber Estuary, at the Humber Estuary, at the Humber Estuary, at the Humber Estuary, at the Humber Estuary

H U M B E R E S T U A R Y


58


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4.6 firth of forth - bto · the firth of forth was counted during the winter of 1992–93, with all...

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