Dead Things on the Beach

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 27 Feb 2005, 21:19

Does anyone know why there are so many dead starfish lying at the shore's edge?

mr magnolia · Post by **mr magnolia** » 27 Feb 2005, 22:27

Sandra wrote:Does anyone know why there are so many dead starfish lying at the shore's edge?

and are they actually dead?

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 27 Feb 2005, 22:28

hmmm never thought of that one!

Post by **wangi** » 28 Feb 2005, 01:10

Sandra wrote:Does anyone know why there are so many dead starfish lying at the shore's edge?

B'hell... thought I'd be the only one to notice them. Millions of them in among the last groyne...

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 28 Feb 2005, 02:33

And the interesting photos for those of us too lazy to check this out for ourselves?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 28 Feb 2005, 10:30

Ah! This phenomenom might explain the HUGE flocks of gulls diving into the sea the other day. I thought it was shoal of fish - never thought of starfish!!

Post by **wangi** » 28 Feb 2005, 13:11

Bob Jefferson wrote:And the interesting photos for those of us too lazy to check this out for ourselves?

Nope, was too busy flying a kite

Post by **wangi** » 02 Mar 2005, 21:59

I took a quick 15 minute walk on the beach to cool down after cycling home... Came across 12 dead birds in less than 300m of beach!?!

Is this normal when the weather is like this?

At the end of Jan I reported a dead seal I found at the other end of the beach (right along at Seafield / Leith Docks)...

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 02 Mar 2005, 23:14

Wish I hadn't looked at the piccies

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 02 Mar 2005, 23:19

Unfortunately this seems to be the norm after stormy weather. Soon it will be the turn of all the egg pod thingys which appear every year and if they don't get cleaned up,boy do they stink especially at your end of the prom

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 03 Mar 2005, 10:16

Is this normal when the weather is like this?

As Teddygirl said, this is what happens after stormy weather with the wind in certain directions etc. Just Nature doing her thing, I suppose.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 03 Mar 2005, 18:24

Having been greatly upset by wangi's pictures (dead birds) I e-mailed RSPB the following is their response.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have received a response from the RSPB's Marine and Coastal Policy Officer who has stated the occurrence of dead sea birds along our coast are due to adverse weather conditions.

Most seabirds, such as the auk species that are being found on the beaches spend their winters out at sea. This winter has been particularly hard for them. Strong winds make it difficult for the birds to feed and many die of exhaustion and hunger. The growing threat of Climate Change is a serious cause for concern and is believed to have had an affect on British seabirds. West winds tend to carry the birds further out to sea but, due to easterly winds, the birds are being washed up on land.

Coincidentally, a survey has recently been carried out involving volunteers combing beaches for dead birds. The details and information can be viewed on the attachment.
Also the results of the Seabird 2000 survey can be viewed at http://www.rspb.org.uk/science/survey/2 ... rd2000.asp

I sincerely hope that this helps to understand the unfortunate situation with seabirds.

Kind Regards
Lewis Davies
Enquiries Administrator
RSPB Scotland Headquarters
Tel: 0131 311 6501
Fax: 0131 3116569
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland

Post by **wangi** » 03 Mar 2005, 18:27

Interesting Gemini. Mind if I add that response tot he top of the gallery? I'm going to delete it anyway in a few weeks (probably), but...

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 03 Mar 2005, 19:33

As a member of the RSPB,I often take part in surveys that they ask us to participate in but didn't know about this one. It's very sad that a lot of what we consider common birds are now in decline.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 14 Mar 2005, 20:30

REply from RSPB

Dear Correspondent
Thank you for your query. I have just come back from a week away to find quite a number of similar reports of dead birds in the Firth of Forth. Many reports are from people carrying out RSPB's annual Beached Bird Survey where beaches round the UK are searched for bird corpses in the last weekend in February.

With the prolonged period of N to NE winds we have had, it is not unexpected to find quite a lot of corpses. On the other hand, following huge numbers of dead birds washed ashore in Feb 1994, there was a very big decline in breeding numbers of shags in following years so I wouldn't dismiss the possible impact of mass strandings. Many of our breeding seabird populations are declining in breeding numbers, although this is caused by poor breeding success. Fishing practices as well as changes in sea temperatures are probably both responsible for food shortages. This could affect adult survival as well, of course.

So, it's too early to say, yet, wheteher all these corpses are somethibng to worry about or not. Once F of Forth results for the BBS are available, I'll forward you a copy for information.

Yours sincerely
Peter Gordon
RSPB Conservation Officer, SE Scotland
-----Original Message-----
From: Davies, Lewis
Sent: 03 March 2005 10:35
To: Gordon, Peter
Cc: Brydson, Kara
Subject: FW: Dead Birds
Importance: High

Hi Pete
Would you please look in to this? Thanks.

Hi Kara
I copied you in because it seems quite serious as they have pictures on the web of the birds. For information, I witnessed a similar occurrence further up the coast a few years ago.

Thank you both for your time
Lewis

Lewis Davies
Enquiries Administrator
RSPB Scotland Headquarters
Tel: 0131 311 6501
Fax: 0131 3116569
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland