An area of beach for ground nesting birds in Kildonan is to be roped off by Nature Scot and North Ayrshire Council following the success of a pilot project.
The small area is in front of Drimla Lodge and is part of the wider Kilmory to Kildonan Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which covers the beach and protects its natural, geological and vegetative state.
The cordoned off area is used by oystercatchers and other ground nesting seabirds which have lived in the area for many years. Unfortunately, with increasing visitor footfall and more dogs running off lead, the birds were frequently having their nests destroyed and failed to raise their chicks to maturity, despite repeat laying.
Last year the initiative helped oyster catchers raise their broods successfully and a number of other birds were spotted making use of the safe space. These included whimbrels on migration, a bar-tailed godwit, curlew, shell duck, mergansers, great northern divers, geese, swans and wigeon.
The SSSI-protected vegetative cover of lyme grass and sand couch at the top of the roped area of beach provides an ideal habitat for shelter, food and secretive nests, whilst the size and type of shingle offers ideal camouflage for open area nesting birds including the oystercatchers.
Additionally, the area is favoured by wild birds as the burn that runs down to the beach brings nutrients for sea creatures and aquatic plants. Swans, gulls and ducks use the area as a resting and feeding place.
Kildonan resident Rory Cowan said: “This piece of beach is not big but it has been very important in supporting what has been a severely dwindling population of wild birds in this area. The uncaring attitude of people over many years is really showing now and if we are to have wild birds - and indeed any wild creatures at all in the future - we must actively protect them.”
The ropes are put up at the start of April and are taken down in late July once all birds have fledged.
North Ayrshire Council has agreed a rope can be positioned along the southern edge of the road to mark the area, however, it stipulated it wanted the rope leading down the beach to be positioned so that at least part of that area of the beach remains accessible.
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