Talking Rubbish

Litter pollution of our seas is a massive problem not only out in the water, but also along our beaches.  As part of our litter removal programme we went out last week and collected a trailer load of rubbish just from Coves Haven on the Island. 

 

 

 

The most common items were plastic bottles and food packaging, either washed up or left behind.  Some of the other items collected included tennis balls, lobster pots, fishing gear, a frisbee, a tyre, trawler boat matting, and a wheelie bin.

 

These objects pose many threats to wildlife.  Many of them are plastic, which never bio-degrades, it only breaks into smaller and smaller pieces and has been found inside filter feeding marine animals and amongst natural sand particles on our beaches.  Animals both living in the marine environment and those who feed upon it, such as seabirds, can become entangled in discarded fishing equipment.  Plastic litter can often be ingested by animals mistaking it for food, which fills up their stomachs and leads to starvation – over 90% of Fulmars found dead around the North Sea contain plastic in their stomachs (Marine Conservation Society).

 

This was just one of the sites we removed rubbish from, just beneath cliffs where Fulmars often gather and breed.

You can help by taking your rubbish home with you when you are out and about on the Reserve. You can also come along to one of our litter picks in the New Year. Keep an eye on the blog for more details.

17th March: A "successful unsuccessful litter pick"

Reserve staff were recently contacted by a student at Cranmer Hall Theological College, Laura, who organised a litter pick on Holy Island to help remove tidal litter that is washed up on the Reserve's shores as part of a community outreach event. 

Laura has kindly written an article for us documenting this trip and the group's motivation for doing so:

When I say the words “trainee vicar” to you, what do you think of? A balding, middle-aged man in ill-fitting black robes, stuttering and stumbling over a poorly prepared sermon while a scattered congregation of nine or ten elderly folk struggle to stay awake? A group of over-enthusiastic hopefuls shoving flyers and tracts into the faces of unsuspecting pedestrians who are trying desperately to avoid eye-contact? Or maybe just an everyman wearing a dog-collar and an L-plate?

Would the words “litter-pick” cross your mind? I don’t mean just picking a crisp packet off the pavement on your way home from church – I’m talking about sturdy walking boots, big black sacks, fancy litter-picking gadgets and a whole coastline littered with…well, litter.  Well, when a group of 5 trainee vicars from Cranmer Hall, Durham, arranged a trip to Lindisfarne to get involved in the community, this is exactly what we planned to do (along with other activities which ranged from teaching at a school to blessing animals in the market square…but those are stories for another time).

Before I tell you about our trash-filled trek, I hope you don’t mind if I explain a bit more about our motivation for doing the litter-pick.

When we first spoke to Paul Collins, the vicar of St Mary’s Church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, about what he’d like us to do on our community outreach weekend in March, he told us he’d like us to do something that encouraged both locals and visitors to appreciate the natural beauty of the Island.  If you’ve ever been to Lindisfarne, you’ll understand what he means. The shell-strewn shores and patchwork farmlands are framed by a vast stretch of ocean and an endless sky. The lonely sand-dunes on the north of the Island seem, at a first glance, to be a desolate wilderness, but the long grasses are the hiding-place of a variety of flora and fauna. You can hear the eerie cries of the seals from their resting places around the Island, and a symphony of bird-calls from the avian visitors. Lindisfarne is, in its own desolate and wild way, an extremely beautiful and peaceful place.

Shoreline of Lindisfarne NNR (James Durrant)

Tidal borne litter is, however, a major hazard – both to the beauty of the Island and to the wildlife who make their homes there. While the wonderful folk of Lindisfarne NNR do a fantastic job of preserving the natural state of the Island, the daily drop-off of debris from the tides of the North Sea means that keeping the beaches clean is an endless task. One of the best ways to show your appreciation of nature is to help care for it – and that’s what one pair from the Cranmer crew decided to do. So, on the 8^th March 2014 at 10am, my partner-in-picking and I set off with the litter-picking gear that the NNR very kindly provided for us and went to find our team of volunteers.

Now, I’d love to tell you that we managed to build a huge network of support and had hundreds of people turning up on the day, fighting over the 6 litter-pickers and eager to save the planet.  As you may have gathered from the title of this blog, however, the turnout wasn’t exactly terrific – late advertising on our part and a high tide meant that the total number of volunteers was 2. Including us.

A happy litter picker! (James Durrant)

Unperturbed by this little setback and determined to go through with our plan, we wandered around the town in a brave attempt to build up a following of vistors who were inspired by our efforts and/or felt sorry for us. When we got to the edge of town the total number of volunteers remained at 2 (including us), so we set off for the beach near Emmanuel Head on the north shore of the Island and managed to fill almost 2 bags with plastic bags, drinks bottles, half an orange buoy, a few bags of dog waste and an assortment of unidentifiable objects.  It was only when the bags started to split and we had to use the spare ones to reinforce them that we decided to call it a day.

Now, I know that 2 bags of litter is a tiny drop in a huge ocean of trash, but I wouldn’t say the pick was entirely unsuccessful. For one, 2 bags is better than nothing! Every crisp packet you pick off the pavement is one less crisp packet on the pavement. We also had loads of fun – litter picking is hard work but it’s a great way to build up team spirit (even if it’s just a team of two people!) and you feel really satisfied afterwards. The plastic bag you took off the beach might have been a deathtrap for a curious gannet, so you’re making a lifetime of difference.

So, if you’re planning a litter-pick, go for it! It’s really easy to organise – just contact the environmental guys in the area you’re interested in as they’ll be super-keen for you to help out and give you loads of guidance. Make sure you get a group together in advance too. Then it’s just a case of turning up on the day and picking up as much litter as you can carry – but remember you have to carry it back too!  If trainee vicars from Durham can do it, then so can you!

Litter-laden at Emmanuel Head, Holy Island (James Durrant)

21st September: Beached Birds update

The analysis of beached birds from the shores of Holy Island and the nearby coast is continuing, with further birds being brought to the Lindisfarne NNR office where they are stored until collection by Daniel M Turner, coordinator of the Northeast England Beached Bird Survey (NEBBS) Group. Daniel then takes these beached birds to the Dove Marine Laboratory at Newcastle University for examination.

Daniel has kindly summarized the latest findings. Daniel writes:

Analysis of a Fulmar found on 10th March 2013 by Lindisfarne resident George Moody has revealed the stomach contents. The plastics within the stomach comprised a total of four pieces including an elongated translucent item approximately 3.5 cm in length and 1.0 cm wide. The total weight of the plastic within this adult male was 0.0255 grams. Another 2013 Fulmar, also analysed in the Dove Marine Laboratory in early June (for details of this analysis, please click here) was a corpse found by beach surveyor Peter Collins between Whitburn and Roker, Tyne and Wear, on 24th March. This bird proved to be an adult female that died from starvation - in its stomach were 346 plastic items, including 16 industrial pellets. The total weight of plastics inside this individual was 0.9839 grams while the length of the majority was between 2 and 4 mm. This latter Fulmar provided tissue samples for future chemical analysis to investigate the level and locations of pollutants. This bird also had unusual swellings on its feet. 

Plastic ingested by the two fulmars (Photos by Dr J A Van Franeker)

A television programme (BBC 1, Inside Out) about the effect of plastics on Fulmars and the environment, was shown earlier in September, with an associated BBC Radio York item.

As well as collecting beached fulmars for analysis the NEBBS Group records all other birds and other natural life found deposited on the shore.

The NEBBS group webpage may be found on their website, and for further information on the international project, including the option to download various reports, visit www.wageningenur.nl/plastics-fulmars

16th July: John Muir Award group help out on the NNR

Last Tuesday, another gloriously sunny and hot day, we had an excellent group of students from Berwick Middle School visit the Reserve to get stuck into litter collection and invasive plant clearance. These activities counted towards the student’s John Muir Award, the educational initiative of the John Muir Trust. This is a fantastic way for young people to learn about conservation and how they can care for their natural environment.

The day began with an introduction to the Reserve, then straight into a litter pick around the East shore of Budle Bay. The students saw why it is important to carry out regular litter picks in tidal areas, as we filled many bags with parts of glass bottles, pieces of plastic and old fishing nets – they also found some more ‘interesting’ rubbish such as half an old bell!

Students collecting litter at Budle Bay

After lunch, it was straight back to Budle Bay – this time to begin clearing an invasive species of cordgrass, Spartina anglica. This species, which is very vigorous and pushes out native saltmarsh communities, is a hybrid with our native cordgrass and an introduced species of cordgrass from America. The hybrid grows very quickly and takes over the mudflats, so removes habitat for geese and wading birds which use the Reserve to feed and roost.

Digging up the Spartina - very muddy business!

Thankfully, the sun had disappeared for the afternoon so it was cooler for digging! Spartina is quite difficult to clear, requiring digging underneath the deep, dense roots which need removed completely or the plant will continue to grow. The plants were collected in large bags which were dragged up to the lay-by, which the students enjoyed very much!

Pulling a large bag full of Spartina bag up the bank - hard work!!

This is the 9^th year that students from Berwick Middle School have come to the Reserve to carry out activities towards their John Muir Award, and since then the extent of the Spartina has reduced. We’re so grateful to the school and students for coming to help us out, and we’re very happy to be able to offer activities like this to local groups.

If you work with school or volunteer groups and are interested in carrying out projects on Lindisfarne NNR, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – tel. 01289 381470 to speak to a member of Reserve staff.

5th July - A special post from our placement student this week

We were very happy to have Molly, a student attending High School in Alnwick, help us out on the Reserve as part of her work experience last week.

Molly writes:

"Hi! I'm Molly, a student in sixth form at Duchess's Community High School in Alnwick and I'm just coming to the end of a week's work experience placement with Natural England at the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. So I'm doing a one-time-only blog entry to let you know all about everything I've experienced and learnt whilst I've been here...

Day 1 - MONDAY: I arrived in the morning and, after having a volunteer induction, was given my schedule from the week. It looked great with something new to look forward to every day! I already knew I was not going to have a bored moment here.

In the afternoon after settling into the office at Beal, it was straight out onto site with Reserve Warden Laura for a butterfly survey around the Snook on the Island. As we walked, Laura explained to me that she does the survey once a week so that the results she collects each time can be collated and then analysed for trends etc. I also learned that there is so much that can affect whether these butterflies will be spotted flying around including amount of sunlight and wind speed and direction.

The rain held off but because it was quite windy, Laura didn't expect we would see too many species fluttering by - however there were actually more than I expected. We even spotted a common blue - the first time Laura had seen one this year! 

After this we got back to the office and Jo, Lead Advisor for the NNR North team, explained to me about an event on the Island next week where 75 first school students will be arriving on the Island for the official opening of the new Window on Wild Lindisfarne building so I began helping to prepare for that creating some activity sheets for the children.

All in all, a full day and a great start to the week!

Dark Green Fritillary - many of these were seen on the butterfly transect this week

Day 2 - TUESDAY: I was barely in the office half an hour before I was off out with Laura again. This time we went to the Cheswick part of the nature reserve (until this week, I didn't realise that the island only makes up quite a small portion of the Reserve) to show me how to carry out a Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and to look at the different species of birds we could see along the coast. This is something that is done once a month and basically, you look for all the different species of wetland birds you see and record them.

On this occasion, we mainly saw herring gulls. In fact, there was a large group of about 193 of them - I have no idea how Laura didn't lose count; imagine what it must be like in the winter when the Reserve plays home to several thousand waterfowl, including thousands of light-bellied Brent geese, at one time on Lindisfarne!

We came back for lunch but it was straight out again; this time with Jo.She took me to the island and showed me round the two new buildings. The newest building (Window on Wild Lindisfarne) on the way to the castle is a true architectural triumph with each tiny environmental detail considered. From the turf roof to the way the grouting is set way back (allowing cover for bees) and gaps within the walls that have been specifically left for birds to nest, everything has been covered. It is a place which will surely become a birdwatcher's paradise in the winter months when the thousands of geese come to rest on the field directly behind it. Next, to the Lookout tower. Again, I thought this was a great building providing spectacular views of the entire Island. I particularly liked looking out to see the many heads of seals bobbing up and down in the water!

Finally, to finish off the day, we went down to the beach for a spot of rock-pooling, carefully looking around to make sure there would be something there for the children to find when they're here next week. We weren't disappointed with shore crabs, a few shrimp and plenty of common periwinkles. But I hope you find some starfish next week too guys!

On Lindisfarne NNR, looking North towards Berwick-Upon-Tweed

Day 3 - WEDENESDAY: In the morning, I had barely finished off the activity sheets before it was back onto the Reserve straight away with Jo again. On the Island, we met up with Julie from Newcastle University who is part of the Northumbrian exchange project. She told me how she is currently conducting a project which focuses on presenting Holy Island from the perspective of the Islanders themselves. She really wants the community to take part and is using a variety of workshops from photography and art to dance and sounds which everyone can get involved in.

It was really interesting for me to get an insight into this side of Natural England; before this placement I only considered the science side of things but this has given me the opportunity to see the connections with the arts it also has. It seems lovely that so many different organisations (including the Holy Island Partnership too) on Lindisfarne seem to have the same end goal: maintaining it as the beautiful place it is.

The stunning view from the Lookout on Wild Lindisfarne

Day 4 - THURSDAY: In the morning, Laura and I went straight out onto site once more to collect in the Little Tern decoys. Laura told me that unfortunately, they do not seem to have encouraged Little Terns to nest in this trialled decoy area yet but it is something that has worked in the past in other areas so... hopefully next year! It was ideal to get a little bit of an insight into this in the morning because after a quick litter-pick on the way back to the car, it was back to the office but then in the afternoon we went with Andrew, Senior Reserve Manager, to Long Nanny to visit the Little Terns and Arctic Terns at this National Trust site. The Tern colony there was a wonder to see and that is no surprise being that it is the biggest mainland Arctic Tern colony in the UK. I really hope one day we will see that kind of sight on Lindisfarne.

Day 5 - FRIDAY: Today is my last day with Natural England, back to school next week. Already this morning we have gone out to the Reserve again. This time, it was to see a Lindisfarne Helleborine which was great as Andrew explained to me that this orchid is only found on Lindisfarne and nowhere else in the world. Then this afternoon we are planning to go out again and pull up as much as possible of the invasive species, the Pirri-pirri bur. I have been warned this is not always an easy task as sometimes their root systems can be extensive! But whatever difference we can make will be a good one. 

  

So that's me. I have had a great time this week and I feel like I have learnt so much; it has given me such a better understanding of what goes into the management of an NNR. This week has really opened my eyes to not only how much work goes into keeping something as nature intended but also how rewarding a career type this would be. After just a week I feel like I have become quite invested in the site and want to help in the conservation of the many species its dynamic habitats play home to.

I think I definitely want to come back here and do some more volunteering if I can!

Thank you Natural England with particular thanks to Jo, Laura and Andrew for this brilliant opportunity and experience."

Reserve staff are very grateful to Molly for all her hard work last week, we really hope she enjoyed it and keeps in touch! We all wish you the very best of luck in pursuing your future studies and career in conservation. Special thanks to Duchess's Community High School for the opportunity to provide a placement for Molly.

20th Mar: Litter pick a success

On Saturday morning, despite a rainy start, 15 volunteers came along to our litter pick on the North Shore of Holy Island. Numbers were greatly boosted by the attendance of the Young Rangers from Seahouses. They identified litter from four different sources: litter washed down rivers into the sea, from sewage outfall, dropped at sea (including fishing-related litter) and dropped directly on the beach.

Comments included: “it was great to have the satisfaction of seeing the beach looking cleaner and knowing that we had made a difference”.

Keeping litter on the Reserve minimal is an ongoing task. A couple of volunteers said they will pick litter during their future visits to the Reserve, which will be a welcome help to the existing staff and volunteers who pick litter on a regular basis.

A big thank you to everyone who helped on Saturday.

The below photographs were taken by Marty Togher:

One of the more unusual finds, a watering can

Plenty of shoes were found, but no pairs

One of the trailer loads of rubbish

Press release: Help keep Lindisfarne tidy

Natural England are asking for your help to keep Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve in top condition for you and for the animals and plants that live there.

On Saturday the 16th of March, we’d like your help for a litter pick on the shoreline of Holy Island.  Please come along and help staff and volunteers clean up the beach before the breeding bird seasons begins, and learn more about the Reserve while you’re here. The litter pick will start at 10am at the Snook car park (the first off-road car park on the island after crossing the Causeway, where the road bears right).

Reserve Manager, Ajay Tegala said “The vast majority of litter is tidal, washing up on the beaches. Litter on the shore poses a threat to wildlife; birds can die from ingesting small pieces of plastic and getting trapped or injured. On a number of occasions, seals have become stuck in lost or discarded nets.  Litter spoils your enjoyment of the Reserve too, marring the natural beauty and posing a safety risk to visitors.  We need your help to keep Holy Island beautiful for you and for the wildlife.

Seal tangled in net - luckily we were able to free it

“We work hard to stop litter building up. Reserve staff try to cover the Reserve at least once each month, but would not be able to manage it without the help of volunteers. For over five years, John Woodhurst has been a faithful volunteer and done much litter picking across the Reserve.  This year two students on placement at Lindisfarne are helping with a variety of work including litter management, but we can always use more help.”

Gloves and grab-sticks will be provided, but please bring warm and waterproof clothing. Contact the Reserve office for more information (01289 381470). We welcome your help and look forward to meeting you.

Ends

Notes to editors

For photographs or further information, please contact Ajay Tegala, 01289 381470

About Lindisfarne NNR

On the edge of Britain land and water meet. Tidal mudflats, saltmarshes and dunes combine to create a place which is home to fascinating plants and to a food supply that attracts bird visitors from thousands of miles away.  Lindisfarne covers a mosaic of internationally important coastal habitats, including intertidal mudflats, rocky shore, sand dunes and saltmarsh.

About National Nature Reserves

A National Nature Reserve (NNR) is one of the finest sites in England for wildlife and/or geology. Almost all NNRs are accessible and provide great opportunities for people to experience nature.

There are currently 224 NNRs in England with a total area of over 94,400 hectares, which is approximately 0.6% of the country’s land surface. The largest is The Wash NNR covering almost 8,800 hectares, whilst Horn Park Quarry in Dorset is the smallest at 0.32 hectares

About Natural England

Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.

8th Feb: Great pintail

One of the tasks staff and volunteers regularly undertake is litterpicking. Now that the snow has cleared, we have been out and about picking litter across the Reserve. Most of it is tidal borne, but some has also been dumped in the dunes. We regularly conduct litter picking events on the Reserve, check back soon for details of one coming up in March.

There have been some good counts of Pintail in the last couple of weeks. In January a peak of 373 were counted, a great spot to view them is Fenham-le-moor hide. This photograph of a male Pintail was taken by John Dunn who volunteers at the Reserve.