Huge rise in wildlife levels as 'seasonal people ban is working'
A Devon scheme giving nature more space has resulted in a huge increase in protected birds landing here.
A three year monitoring programme of the seasonal wildlife refuges on the River Exe has shown a rise in protected birds arriving.
The two wildlife refuges were set-up for between 15th September and 31st December at Exmouth 'duckpond' and off Dawlish Warren - banning users such as jet ski riders from disturbing protected international birds that use the area.
The results showed that the wildlife refuges 'significantly reduce disturbance to protected bird species on the Exe Estuary' and the results indicate that 'the wildlife refuges are in the right places and cover the most critical times of year for protected birds'.
The maximum numbers of wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans) recorded at the Exmouth refuge showed an annual increase over the three years of the study.
It means that the estuary is better able to provide undisturbed resting and feeding sites for these birds into the future.
The results were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic – both from numbers of people having reduced access during lockdowns and conversely by staycations increasing the number of people on the estuary when lockdown ended.
Councillor Martin Wrigley, Chair of the South East Devon Habitat Regulation Executive Committee and Teignbridge Executive Member for Communities, Housing and IT, said: "The latest monitoring reports show great results for the wildlife on the Exe Estuary, and that the wildlife refuge spaces are having an impact.
"It has been great to see so many people out on the water enjoying and sharing the area with the birds. Through showing consideration for others – including the wildlife – we can continue to keep the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the Pebblebed Heaths the special places they are for generations to come."