Kent Police, Kent Wildlife Trust, Thanet council’s Coastal Team and Bird Wise East Kent have teamed up again to raise awareness of Operation Seabird, a police-led initiative aimed at protecting wildlife in coastal areas.
Members of the Rural Task Force and Kent Marine team met with representatives from Kent Wildlife Trust, Thanet council, Thanet Coast Project and Bird Wise East Kent at the Western Undercliff on the north side of Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve on May 30 for a morning of engagement and education in their attempt to ensure visitors behave responsibly on the water and on the coastline around important wildlife sites.
The group discussed their concerns with the public around the impacts of wildlife disturbance as summer approaches. Issues include disturbance of migratory birds by kite surfers over the sunny weekend to incidents of dogs chasing seabirds resting on the mudflats -an area with restricted access to protect wildlife. Cases where jet skiers act antisocially putting people and wildlife at risk, including the vulnerable seals hauled out in the Stour and Swale Estuary, were also discussed.
The teams also highlighted that harbour seals will begin pupping in the coming months, a time when they are especially vulnerable to disturbance. If a seal pup is separated from its mother or it misses essential feeds due to human interference, it can have life-threatening consequences. The Stour Estuary, near Pegwell Bay, is one of Kent’s key seal habitats and needs careful protection.
There are also vulnerable coastal birds trying to nest on shingle beaches such as at Shellness and South Swale, which are easily disturbed by watercraft, drones and dogs. With more seabirds added to the IUCN red list this year, birds are more vulnerable than ever and so people are being asked to give them space and stay away from restricted beaches.
Sergeant Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force said: “The results of allowing a dog to run free in a protected area can be extremely harmful for birds and may result in their death or in them abandoning their chicks.
“We take wildlife crime extremely seriously and will continue to work with partner organisations around Kent to protect animals and birds living in the county’s wonderful natural habitats.
“I urge anyone who has information or concerns about wildlife crime or disturbance to report it to us via our website.”
Protected Area Warden Nina Jones said: “Pegwell Bay is a vital sanctuary for wildlife, supporting many rare and endangered species. It also hosts the largest onshore seal haul-out in Kent. As we enter the busy season, we’re bracing for increased disturbances—something that becomes more disheartening every year.
“It’s difficult to overstate the value of places like Pegwell Bay. These habitats are essential, yet they’re increasingly under pressure from recreation and development. People visit to experience the beauty of the wildlife—so please, don’t be the reason it disappears.”
PCSO Ian Norton of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force added: “If you witness a coastal wildlife crime or any disturbance to coastal and marine wildlife, please don’t hesitate to report it. You can use the online reporting form, speak to us via the live chat option or call 101. Every report helps us protect our local wildlife and hold offenders accountable.”
The efforts follow years of community monitoring of wildlife disturbance events. One Thanet birder, who has documented thousands of birds at Pegwell Bay, described the frustration of witnessing a speedboat disturbing wildlife: “It’s heartbreaking to see these incidents in a nationally protected site. Pegwell Bay should be a sanctuary.”
Members of the public frequently raised concern over the proposed National Grid Sea Link cable project, which is set to come ashore at Pegwell Bay. Conservationists warn it may cause further disruption to habitats and wildlife already under strain.
As a designated RAMSAR site, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and Special Protection Area (SPA), Pegwell Bay is internationally recognised for its importance to wildlife, especially coastal and wetland birds. Reducing disturbance is crucial to reversing recent population declines.
Operation Seabird, originally launched in Yorkshire, is now expanding across the UK coastline. It is hoped that Operation Seabird will protect important marine and coastal habitats and wildlife, while also raising awareness of environmental issues through combining the resources of police forces, local authorities and conservation organisations such as Kent Wildlife Trust.
The next Operation Seabird session will take place on 9th August during Whitstable Harbour Day.
For more information on how to avoid disturbance at Pegwell and Sandwich Bay National Nature Reserve please see the webpage: Sandwich and Pegwell Bay | Kent Wildlife Trust
for the first time in years , i had a stroll along the western undercliff at ramsgate today. i was horrified to see the amount of dossers along there , theres people in motorhomes , old caravans , lorries and a even a couple of horse boxes? why this is being allowed christ only knows , no doubt they are contributing to the mess and disturbance of nature
Most of them stink of weed too when you walk past.