Give nature some space

Restrictions at Landguard 

There to give nature some of the space it desperately needs! 

The land that Landguard Nature Reserve is situated on, is owned by East Suffolk Council. It was previously managed by the Landguard Partnership, of which the Council were the lead organisation. The Landguard and Felixstowe Conservation Trust, or ‘Landguard Trust’ for short (Charity registration number 1198844) replaced the Partnership arrangements and were granted a 25-year lease in 2023 along with the remit to manage the Reserve. Please note Landguard is not ‘common land’, or a public park and there are no public Rights of Way. The foreshore (between low and high-water marks) at Landguard is not owned by the Crown Estate.

Regarding prohibiting access to certain areas: Prohibited areas include the cordon areas, enclosed with posts and rope. These have been erected every March to September for decades to protect ground nesting birds from disturbance during the breeding season. These include the Red Listed Ringed Plover. An additional benefit of the cordons is that they also protect the rare, vegetated shingle habitat from being trampled and allow plants to re-establish.

Dogs, on or off lead and fishing activities are also now prohibited from the beach in front of the cordons from April 1^st to September 30^th. This is a land managers decision to help reduce disturbance specifically to the birds and their young that need to feed along the shoreline. We are also seeing more seals on the beach, sometimes resting or occasionally injured or sick and the restriction helps keep seals safe when this occurs by reducing disturbance and conflict between dogs and seals.

Additional activities are prohibited at Landguard. Landguard is designated by Natural England as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve, and by Historic England as a Scheduled Monument. There are prohibitions in place to protect flora, fauna, and heritage under these designations, as well as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Public Space Protection Order (Anti-social behaviour crime and policing act 2014) and byelaws which also prohibit activities deemed as Anti-Social, and / or hazardous/disturbing, such as BBQ’s, fires, littering, metal detecting, kites, and drones etc. In respect of the whole restricted area it is a criminal offence to: Wilfully obstruct or disturb a warden or other authorised agent of the council in the proper execution of his duty or any other person or servant of any person employed by the council or the Landguard Trust in the proper execution of any work in connection with the laying out, maintenance or control of the restricted area. The restrictions to dog walkers and angling are in connection with the maintenance and control of this area and our intent is to protect ground nesting birds from disturbance during the breeding season.

Information boards are situated at the main access points to the Nature Reserve, and other signs are placed at key points to remind people of specific restrictions during the period April to September.

However, the Landguard Trust do understand that this is a popular place and recreational resource for the community and visitors. The majority of Landguard is always open to the public. All we ask is that people take care and respect the flora, fauna and heritage that make Landguard so special. We strive to strike a balance between protecting the most sensitive areas of the site, whilst providing space for people to enjoy Landguard.

On the Northern section, including the beaches, dogs can be exercised on or off the lead, as long as dog fouling is cleared up. Dogs can also be walked on the lead behind the cordons on the landward side, and along the estuary beach around to the Viewpoint. (See attached map).

Further information on new seasonal restrictions

The additional restrictions that apply to anglers and dog walkers along the southern section of beach have been implemented this year are specifically to protect and prevent disturbance to the birds and their young that need to feed along the shoreline.

The Ringed plover breeding period is often considered as being between April and July and this period relates to the time birds may be laying or sitting on eggs. However, this can be variable and influenced by weather conditions and disturbance. It is also important to mention that Ringed plover will have more than one brood during the season.

We are not just trying to safeguard birds sitting on eggs, we are also trying to ensure that they have ample opportunities to feed along the shoreline. Adult birds need to do this prior to nesting to build breeding condition and after brooding to regain condition and/or in preparation for another breeding attempt.

The earliest clutch recorded at Landguard was late March and the last early August. These later broods can often remain with adults for 35 days after hatching and some have been recorded still present at 7 weeks. Once chicks have fledged the young also need to feed along the shoreline and so the duration of the restriction is required well into September. When the cordons come down this will be a clear indication to everyone that the breeding and rearing period is over.

In addition, other birds that benefit from the restriction, include ground nesting Oystercatcher, and other wading birds. 

We are also seeing more seals on the beach, sometimes resting or occasionally injured or sick and the restriction helps keep seals safe when this occurs by reducing disturbance and conflict between dogs and seals.

This is currently only a seasonal restriction and anglers and dog walkers (with dogs on a lead) may return from September 30^th but in the meantime can continue to use other areas of the Nature Reserve coastline. For six months of the year, we are just trying to give nature a bit of the space it vitally needs. Wildlife declines are being experienced across the globe and as the Felixstowe population grows and visitor pressure increases, we need to help where we can, to help nature thrive and we very much hope that the angling and dog walking community, who are among the most frequent and regular users of the Landguard Nature Reserve will help support our efforts.

Some of the issues experienced with fishing and dog walking activities in this area that have prompted our decision include: 

• Disturbance of the tidal zone. Prior to egg laying the birds need to feed to build their condition in readiness for breeding. During and after brooding the birds continue to feed to regain their strength and the chicks also begin feeding on the shoreline. Ringed plover will avoid feeding in these areas if fishermen (and dogs) are present as they are naturally hypervigilant, sometimes resulting in them not feeding enough.

• Fishing trollies being pulled through the cordons , which is greatly disturbing for the nesting birds and can damage nests.

• Cordons being used to hang equipment and clothing from, causing disturbance to the birds within the cordons.

• Fires on the beach when fishing conditions are cold, which creates disturbance and isn’t permitted as part of the PSPO. Material to burn is often collected onsite and taken from the small number of trees we have and sometimes posts from the cordons are even burned.

• Bait (dead and alive) being discarded on the beach which then attracts predators like gulls, crows, and foxes.

• As the tide comes in, fishing activities retreat closer to the cordons which causes disturbance.

• Litter left behind by anglers (often buried in plastic bags) (including human waste).

• Broken line, hooks, weights, and floats left of the beach create hazards for wildlife and people.

• Dogs off lead chasing wildlife on the beach and in the cordons.

• Dogs on long extendable leads chasing / disturbing wildlife.

• Dog fouling

Of course, these behaviours are not true of all people who participate in these activities, but they are a problem.

In the lead up to the implementation of the new rule, many anglers and dog walkers were spoken with directly on the beach to advise them of the forthcoming changes. Articles were printed in the EADT and local free press, information has been shared on local radio and social media. Angling Clubs are aware of the restrictions, and anglers we have spoken to have been understanding.

We do not wish to exclude fishing and dog walking entirely and both are still welcome at Landguard. In summary, approximately only 0.6 mile of coastline is currently restricted for 6 months of the year and almost a mile of coastline is still accessible for fishing activities at Landguard all year round, 16 hectares are available to exercise dogs on leads and 9 hectares to exercise dogs off lead.

It is unfortunate that some do not understand or seem to care about wildlife and the environment and will ignore the rules that are only there to protect it. For six months of the year, we are just trying to give nature a bit of the space it vitally needs. Wildlife declines are being experienced across the globe and as the Felixstowe population grows and visitor pressure increases, we need to help where we can, to help nature thrive.

If you wish to contact us please email enquiries@landguard.org.uk 

Please see Ranger's Blog for any updates.