The Wild Recreation Guide Free Welcome to The Wash and Norfolk Coast Enjoy | Respect | Protect Welcome to The Wash and Norfolk Coast Enjoy the outdoors, be happy and stay safe Respect other people and share the coast with everyone Protect the natural environment by making sure our activities are wildlife friendly Contents Map 8 Being aware of the wild 10 Safety on the seashore 12 Beach recreation 14 Walking 16 Dog walking 18 Horse riding and cycling 20 Bird watching 22 Research and education 24 Angling 26 Gillie crabbing 28 Safety at sea 30 Open water swimming 32 Boating 34 Paddle and board sports 38 Diving and snorkelling 40 Flying 42 Drones 44 Contacts 46 The remarkable natural heritage of The Wash and Norfolk coast is intimately connected Enjoy to a rich, historic and bustling coastal culture the outdoors, be happy and stay safe and society. Respect Tourism and recreation bring enormous other people and share the coast social, health and wellbeing benefits to local with everyone communities and the many people who visit the area. Whilst enjoying this wonderful Protect coastline we must all remember to respect the natural environment by making other people and protect the wildlife that sure our activities are wildlife friendly makes this place so special. Many of the coastal sectors are committed and working hard to ensure their activities are wildlife friendly, and respect other people enjoying this coastline and making a living. The Wild Recreation Guide has been produced in cooperation with local authorities, conservation bodies and charities, local people and recreational groups to share best practice for sustainable recreation. 6 7 This coastline is protected under national and international environmental 1 law to ensure that coastal 16 lifestyles and livelihoods are sustainable, and that wildlife is protected. 6 Let’s all work together 4 5 7 10 14 8 9 to protect the remarkable 2 The Wash nature and rich culture of this very special part of the Great British coastline. 3 15 12 13 11 Nature Reserves Ports Target Range 1. Gibraltar Point – 5. Titchwell Marsh – RSPB 10. Port of Boston 15. RAF Holbeach – active target range Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 6. Brancaster – National Trust 11. Port of Wisbech 16. RAF Wainfleet – inactive target range 2. Frampton and Freiston –RSPB 7. Holkham 12. Port of Sutton Bridge 3. Snettisham – RSPB 8. Blakeney – National Trust 13. Port of King’s Lynn 4. Holme Dunes – Norfolk Wildlife Trust 9. Cley Marshes – Norfolk Wildlife Trust 14. Port of Wells 8 9 Ground Nesting birds. Like any new family, they Being aware of the wild need to bring up their young in peace and quiet. Disturbing birds can keep them from their nests, leaving chicks hungry and allow Here’s a little bit of information about some of the sensitive wildlife predators to take their eggs and young. that we need to be very careful not to disturb when enjoying being Key breeding habitats include sand dunes, out and about along this coastline. shingle beaches and saltmarsh. © Chris Knights Together, we can keep the coast and seas thriving and healthy for all people and wildlife who visit and call it home. Wintering birds. During cold weather or when migrant birds have made a long flight, repeated disturbance by the many visitors to Saltmarshes. Saltwater marshes host the coast can mean they use up vital energy an enormous diversity of wildlife. Many needed for feeding and survival. Always try to rare animals use marshes for nesting, feeding give them as much space as possible. and to take refuge from predators. Be careful © Neil Smith around the creeks that fill up very quickly and well before high tide. It’s very easy to get Bird breeding season - beginning of March to the end of August cut off! © Robert Enderby Bird wintering season - beginning of November to the end of March Shingle beaches. Endangered bird species Seals. Seals raise their adorable young all along can be found nesting on shingle beaches along this coast. If seals look up or start to move this coastline. Their eggs and chicks are always away from you, you’re too close. well camouflaged against the shingle and are Scared mums will keep away from their pups easily trodden underfoot. Always avoid shingle and they will miss feeds and very frightened beaches during the breeding season. parents will abandon their pups all together. © Chris Knights Sand dunes. Many forms of wildlife make their When seals aren’t feeding or travelling they home in sand dunes. Take care not to trample ‘haul out’ to rest. This is an important time to the sensitive vegetation on the upper shore save energy, moult and breed. Many local as it is easily eroded and can take a long nature tour businesses also depend on the seals time to recover. Always stay to permitted for their livelihoods so please keep your distance footpaths when walking near the dunes. to avoid frightening them into the water. © Norfolk Coast Partnership © Norfolk Coast Partnership High tide wader roosts. Birds often feed Seal breeding season - beginning of June to the end of August and roost along the tide line. At high tide they (Common) and beginning of November to the end of January (Grey). are pushed right up to the upper shore and much closer to human activity. Please try to Remember, it is illegal to recklessly disturb nesting birds and other keep your distance from birds roosting at high tide as they haven’t got anywhere else to go. protected wildlife. Prosecutions can result in fines of up to £20,000. © Chris Knights For more information on the relevant laws protecting wildlife please see the Natural England website (www.gov.uk - search Natural England). 10 11 Safety on the seashore Wildlife is an The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) have a brilliant website for all coastal safety. integral part of Stay safe and comfortable. Check weather forecasts and stay clear of natural hazards like tidal saltmarsh, creeks, rising tides, soft mud and strong currents. a healthy coastal Always be aware of the tide times and weather when going to the coast. society and Often creeks and channels fill up first and it is easy to get stranded in an area that is difficult to access using a rescue boat. Tides can move very quickly on this coast so keep an eye on the water. a fulfilling holiday Part of the fun is being away from it all but make sure you let someone know where you are if you are going to explore the coastline. so let’s all work Reduce the risk of fire by not lighting fires, stoves or barbecues, particularly during hot dry conditions. together to Check bay signs for activity zones, byelaws and local beach safety information. protect it. Take care near cliffs and never throw anything over the edge. Do not try to climb the cliffs as they are often soft and crumbling and can easily collapse. Be aware of the active and inactive air weapons ranges on The Wash at Holbeach and Wainfleet. Both are highly dangerous due to unexploded ordnance. See the map at the beginning of the guide. In an emergency contact the coastguard on 999 or VHF channel 16. © Norfolk Coast Partnership 12 13 Protect Beach recreation Keep to designated foot paths and avoid walking through habitats like shingle beaches, sand dunes and saltmarsh. They are very sensitive to disturbance and erosion and can take a long time to recover. Enjoy The shoreline and beaches of The Wash and Norfolk coast are second to none Digging in the sand dunes can destabilise this fragile habitat which is important with pristine waters and a bustling and historic culture. It is important that for wildlife. Have fun, play, dig and relax on the sandy beach but always try we all learn to respect other people who visit this coastline and call it home. to avoid the dunes. Wildlife is an integral part of a healthy coastal society and a fulfilling holiday so let’s all work together to protect it. Leave things along the coast where you find them. They are important habitats and food for wildlife and bring pleasure and enjoyment to other people. Respect Always take your rubbish home with you and dispose of it responsibly. If the bin Be mindful that this is a busy coast with many people sharing it for recreation is full, please don’t leave it on the floor, it’s unsightly and the strong coastal winds and to make a living. will blow it into the sea where it will cause harm to wildlife. Respect the rights of landowners and obtain permission before entering Beach games are great fun but never leave recreational toys in the sea. privately owned or managed land. Seals and other wildlfe can get entangled in lost items Many people need to move freely along this coast to make a living so be careful not to block public access, rights of way or gates. Always park vehicles responsibly and ideally in designated car parks. If you have a dog in your family then please see our dog walking page. Likewise, if you’re off for a long walk we have some great advice for ramblers. © Jane Woodcock © Chris Knights Seabirds are vulnerable during winter and after cold snaps. Repeatedly being scared to flight will reduce their feeding time and use up vital energy reserves that can impact their survival. Always keep your distance, especially at high tide when they’re pushed higher up the shore. Rare and endangered seabirds nest along these shores.