What storms bring in is always welcomed by the birds that live at the seaside. Usually, its the Gulls that really profit from the food that is strewn along the beach after a storm. So, I was interested to see a flock of Oystercatchers on the rocky outcrop and along the shoreline on Exmouth beach in January between Maer Rocks and Orcombe Point. There were some Canada Geese too. However, they only have a certain amount of time to forage before the tide comes in again and the food is lost. So, I was frustrated to see that dog walkers were frightening the birds and chasing them away from their foraging. Even the rocky outcrop isn’t safe refuge for them as people and their dogs go out onto the rocks and then the birds have nowhere to rest.

Don’t think I’m against dogs, I love all animals! I just think there should be protected areas for wildlife and that an area set aside for birds without interference would be great.