Wildlife Wise is joining forces with Suffolk Police this summer to patrol Suffolk waterways in a bid to safeguard the county’s most protected species and their habitats.
In the first event of the summer held on Wednesday 29 July, Wildlife Wise rangers joined the Suffolk Constabulary Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Team to patrol the River Deben from Woodbridge to Old Felixstowe to speak to river users to offer advice on river safety and how they can help protect sensitive wildlife habitats.
During the patrol, officers and Wildlife Wise Rangers spoke with residents, businesses, boat users, paddleboarders, and jet ski users, to raise awareness of the importance of responsible behaviour both on and off the water. Advice offered during the patrol included how everyone can stay safe on the river, how river users should responsibly access the water and how sensitive wildlife habitats can be protected.
Will Dowe, Wildlife Wise ranger said:
“The Deben is one of the most important estuaries on the Suffolk coast for wildlife. Its mudflats and saltmarsh support around 20,000 waterbirds each year, including internationally important numbers of wintering avocet, redshank and dark-bellied brent geese, along with large populations of shelduck and black-tailed godwit. Even in summer the river is full of life, with shelduck raising their young on the water, curlew and redshank feeding on the mud, and the saltmarsh itself, a rare habitat that feeds the birds, shelters young fish and even protects the sea walls behind it.
“People are often unaware of the knock-on effects of disturbing this wildlife. Birds frightened off a roost or their feeding grounds burn energy they can't afford to lose, and if it happens repeatedly, they can abandon a site altogether. Excess wake is a problem too, swamping the shoreline where birds feed and eroding the edges of the saltmarsh, so it was great to see that most river users were keeping to the speed limits. Simple choices like this, along with giving birds a wide berth and keeping to the main waterway, make a real difference.
“The vast majority of people we spoke to on the patrol love the river and were receptive to these messages. Our thanks go to Suffolk Constabulary's Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Team for their continued support for our projects, and to Deben Yacht Club for the loan of their boats and the skill of their volunteers, as without them, the patrol wouldn't have been possible. It's a great example of the river community working together to keep the Deben special for both people and wildlife.”
Colin Taylor from the Suffolk Constabulary, Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Team added:
“The River Deben patrol formed part of ongoing partnership work aimed at safeguarding the local environment, engaging with river users, and raising awareness of the importance of responsible behaviour on and around the water.
“The River Deben is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including protected bird species and important coastal habitats. Increased recreational use of the river can place pressure on these environments, particularly during the busy summer months. By working together, Suffolk Constabulary and Wildlife Wise seek to ensure that people can enjoy the river while minimising disturbance to wildlife and respecting the natural environment.
“The patrol also provided a visible presence on the river, giving officers and partners the opportunity to engage positively with the public and highlight the importance of reporting incidents involving wildlife crime, environmental damage, anti-social behaviour, or unsafe activity on the water.”
Further river patrols will be happening during the remainder of the summer.
