Over 100 birds washed up on Chesil Beach

Following the recent severe storms that have engulfed Chesil Beach, over 100 birds were washed up on the shore at the weekend – the majority of which were found dead or in distress.

Birds such as razorbills, guillemots and two kittiwake’s have been found. Five dead puffins, which are species of European conservation concern, have also been washed up. Some of these birds were covered in oil, and those found alive are exhausted and need time to recover.

Concerned conservation officers have been able to rescue some of the stranded birds. A trapped razorbill, stuck inside an empty gabion (a metal cage filled with shingle to stabilise the shoreline) was freed by Angela Thomas, Assistant Warden at the Chesil Bank and Fleet Nature Reserve.

Angela said, “The force of the waves had emptied the shingle from the metal cage, but somehow a Razorbill had become trapped inside – it was hard to get it out, and we had no idea how it got in there. It would not have escaped without our help, so we’re glad we managed to spot it.”

Fine Foundation Chesil Beach Centre Officer, Marc Smith said: “Whilst we usually see dead birds washed up on the beach in the winter, these storms have made life much harder for them. Birds being found alive are tired and hungry because they are weak from fighting against the harsh conditions. The death of these birds is an even bigger blow after the huge loss during the PIB incident last year, where over 1000 seabirds were found dead on the South Coast, covered in a deadly sticky glue substance. It is sad to find more dead birds along Chesil Beach, but an inevitable consequence of the storms and high tides.”

Chesil Centre Officers will be monitoring the beach to try and rescue as many birds as possible, but Dorset Wildlife Trust is advising the public not to touch dead or injured birds.

If you see a dead or injured bird on Chesil Beach, please contact the DWT Chesil Beach Centre on 01305 206191, or phone the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.