26/03/2026
🌿 The Cordons Are Up: Preparing for Ringed Plover Nesting Season at Landguard
Today with the help of Harwich Haven Authority, Felixstowe Port, Reserve volunteers and Landguard Bird Observatory, the post‑and‑rope cordons went up on the Nature Reserve, marking the start of one of the most important moments in our year.....the Ringed Plover nesting season.
These small, charismatic waders choose Landguard’s rare vegetated shingle to raise their families. But their nesting strategy makes them incredibly vulnerable: instead of building a traditional nest, they simply scrape a shallow hollow in the shingle and lay their beautifully camouflaged eggs right on the ground, making them almost impossible for people and dogs to see.
From April to September, these fragile nesting areas need space and quiet. That’s why cordons are installed around key breeding areas, helping adult plovers incubate their eggs without disturbance. Even a brief interruption from people, dogs, kites, drones or fishing activity can cause adults to abandon their nests, leaving eggs exposed to predators and temperature changes. As chicks hatch, they must feed on the open beach, where they remain extremely sensitive to disturbance.
What this means for visitors?
To give the birds the best chance of success:
🐾Dogs, whether on or off lead, are **not permitted inside the cordons or on the beach directly in front of them** during the breeding season.
🎣Fishing should not take place in front of cordoned areas, as it can disturb the birds and attract predators.
These areas are clearly signposted and regularly patrolled.
🐾Dogs can still enjoy the northern section of the reserve off lead, and may be walked on lead to the landward side of the cordons.
🎣Fishing remains welcome in the northern section and along the river.
Recent enforcement has shown why these protections matter. In 2025, four Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for entering cordoned areas or allowing dogs inside them. In one case, a couple with off‑lead dogs took part in a community resolution, including a donation to the Landguard Trust and an educational meeting about the importance of the PSPO. These measures help safeguard wildlife and ensure everyone can enjoy the reserve responsibly.
Ringed Plovers are a conservation priority in the UK, and with your support, we hope these much‑loved birds will continue to breed at Landguard for many years to come.
🎥 Want to see why disturbance matters? Watch the short film Give Beach Nesting Birds A Chance:
https://landguard.com/protecting-ringed-plovers-at-landguard-nature-reserve/
