Thu Sep 12 13:59:00 UTC 2024: ## Dog Disturbance Threatens Wintering Waterbirds on Irish Coastlines
**Cork, Ireland** – As hundreds of thousands of waterbirds arrive on Irish shores for the winter, experts are sounding the alarm about the growing threat of human disturbance, particularly from off-leash dogs.
Waterbird ecologist Lesley Lewis, who has conducted extensive research on the impact of disturbance on these birds, highlights that well over 50% of disturbances involve dogs, often causing significant stress and impacting their ability to survive the winter.
Lewis, in a recent article for Birdwatch, debunks common myths surrounding human interaction with waterbirds, emphasizing the crucial need for these animals to feed, preen, and rest undisturbed to conserve energy for their long journey back to breeding grounds in spring.
“Being forced to move due to disturbance results in the birds moving to areas where the ‘larder’ is not as full, or where there are many more birds competing to eat the same prey,” Lewis explains.
She stresses that even seemingly harmless activities like walking or running through a flock of birds can cause distress, while chasing them with dogs is undeniably harmful.
Lewis urges people to be mindful of their impact on these vital ecosystems, particularly in popular areas like North Bull Island, which sees over two million visitors annually.
“Many of us love the vast expanse of our shorelines, with plenty of space for our dogs to run freely. But it is time to stop and think seriously about the damage that this causes, and to learn to responsibly share the shore with the animals that make it their home,” she concludes.
The Irish Examiner is calling on the public to be mindful of their actions and to prioritize the well-being of these vital winter visitors.
First Piper 