Over recent years the general public has been made aware, mainly through television, that the growing human population is posing a threat to many species of wildlife. At the same time this awareness has promoted a greater interest in these creatures. As a result the traditional bodies for conservation such as the RSPB have been joined by others such as local authorities who want to be seen to be doing their bit! It often seems that it only needs a local club or association to write a letter about the plight of their bats, birds or death watch beetles and some piece of land is suddenly sprouting ‘keep off’ notices. In many cases there is a genuine need for this restriction as a threatened species occupies the area. But there are other parcels of land to which people have had access for generations. Any wildlife in the area has managed to maintain its population in spite of this.

There is another side to the coin however. Restricting access may be necessary if recreational use of an area has greatly increased. We dinghy sailors who have an interest in natural history are lucky as we have access to areas which are denied to land bound humans. Because relatively few people have the means to visit places such as islands and certain stretches of coast, no authority may have thought it necessary to tell us to stay away. We must be careful then to cause as little disturbance as possible or the effect may be noticed and our freedom curtailed. In fact it is illegal to disturb the rearing of the young of virtually all species of birds as well as certain mammals such as bats.

When we find what seem to be tame birds and animals we should be aware that they may be reluctant to leave because of young in the vicinity, or eggs may be about to hatch and allowing them to chill could prove fatal. If young animals are unattended predators can have a feast. I remember a mallard duck, easily recognisable by her hybridised plumage, who lost all twelve of her duckling in two hours to a party of crows. If you disturb a nesting colony of terns their indignant swooping attacks are often pressed home so aggressively that they draw blood — yours. Other species are much more shy. Even one intrusion may cause the parents to abandon their nest or young. If regular counts are made in that area by some conservation body, evidence of disturbance could well mean those dreaded notices appearing. On the east coast it is often possible to camp on the saltings or sea walls, particularly during neaps tides. Great care should be taken before August however, as this type of environment is a natural nursery for young water fowl.

We can’t do much about the pointless ‘reserves’ we do have, but we can prevent further restrictions by ensuring our interest in birds and animals does not amount to disturbance.