Disturbance
People's views on what constitutes disturbance can differ, so below we have summarised some basic guidance for people to use on what disturbance can look like for SEMS activities.
High‑risk locations include estuaries and mudflats, (wintering waders and wildfowl) shingle beaches (nesting sites), sandflats near high tide line (roosting birds) and saltmarsh edges and creeks.
Disturbance can be visual (people, dogs, movement), from noise, physical presence / access of people and through habitat damage (trampling, digging). Frequency (repeated vs one-off), duration (prolonged presence is worse) and predictability (erratic movement is worse).
Bird Disturbance
- Birds taking flight suddenly
- Repeated alarm calls
- Adults leaving nests
- Chicks scattering or hiding
- Flocks repeatedly moving away from people/dogs
Source: RSPB
Responses can be immediate (e.g. flight, alarm), indirect (reduced feeding, displacement) or long-term (reduced survival or breeding success).
The MMO Seasight reporting form classifies disturbance using a numeric scale:
1: turn head to look at disturbance
1: flap their wings while standing or sitting, increased vocalisations or minor displacement (under 2 mins)
2: fly, walk or run away, does not return or re-settle within 2 mins
3: attack to defend their territory
3: fly, walk or run away does not return or re-settle at all
4: injury or death
0: no behavioural change observed
