Virtual Field Trips
East Head
6. Ringed Plover Area
For the past few years two pairs of ringed plover have nested in this area. They lay their eggs on the ground and these are camouflaged to look like large pebbles. The nesting area has been fenced off to prevent the birds being disturbed and their eggs trodden on.
Ringed Plover
Ringed Plover
Find out more about ringed plovers here:
RSPB Website
Fenced off Area
Fenced Off Areas Thrive
Another advantage of this fencing has been to prevent trampling of plants and embryo dunes. In this picture you can see how the section of embryo dune to the right is thriving because it is fenced off, while on the left it has almost disappeared.
Sea Knotgrass
Shingle Plants
The plants growing in the shingle make what is known as a vegetated shingle beach. Vegetated shingle is a nationally scarce habitat that sometimes suffers great disturbance when stones and shingle are constantly moved around by incoming waves from the sea. The rare Sea Knot Grass that grows close to the surface of the shingle varies in the size of its population from year to year because of this disturbance.
Embryo Dunes
Embryo Dunes
There are good examples of embryo dunes forming at this end of the spit. The sand from the southern end of the spit has gradually migrated to the northern tip. When the wind blows in a northeasterly direction, sand can be seen blowing across the surface of the ground and is easily trapped by any obstruction. If the obstruction is Marram Grass then there is every likelihood that the embryo dune will gradually increase in size.
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