CJW Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 All, this morning I received this email, sections of which are printed below. Does anyone know any details about this event? Date etc? We're enjoying getting to know various parts of the island. During recent walks we see the Ayres is 'protected' for the little terns and arctic terns and others birds that use the foreshore for nesting till 1st August. Dog walkers are subject to large fines for disturbing the area with dogs not on the lead, as you know. So I was astonished to learn that over the weekend, some dayglo orange notices went up advertising the Southern Motorcycle Association meeting at the Ayres for a bit of biking on the beach (between the high and low water marks, supposedly). My interest and involvement was sparked by a guy who lives near the Ayres who spotted the signs in the first place. Notices appeared on the A10/16 from outside Ramsey up the Bride Road to the Ayres, and possibly elsewhere. The bike meet organiser has put up notices at the visitor centre too warning the public to beware of bikes on the beach between 9 - 11 am. I don't know exactly where the little tern and arctic tern nesting sites are, or their numbers this year, but it strikes me that using an already officially designated sensitive nesting site for a bike meet is a piece of nonsense so... I spent some time on the phone today getting in touch with DoT and DAFF to try to find out exactly what's happening. The fact is, DoT have already given outline approval for the meet without checking with DAFF - it looks like they forgot about the SSI designation - and both departments are trying to work out the best way forward (given that a letter has already been sent to the organiser with outline approval, hence the dayglo notices) and to work to improve communication between departments in situations like this. DAFF are trying to exercise quiet diplomacy in relation to this case - nobody likes having egg on their face obviously - and both departments are 'fact-finding' today - possibly prompted by phone calls from the interested public. They are trying to come up with a face-saving solution. Decision day is tomorrow. It may be this year the terns will be the losers. Or is that a bit too emotive? Anyway, do you think upwards of 30 bikers should have access to the beach just now, even if they are restricted to the area between the high and low water marks, for two hours of racing, given what you know about the behaviour of terns? I mean, maybe the birds will just sit tight and ignore it... it is possible. And, ordinarily, I have nothing against bikes. I've just enjoyed my first TT!! But if you fancy using your specialist interest knowledge and make your own independent enquiries to DAFF to find out more about what's happening about the advertised bike meet, could you call them tomorrow morning? Perhaps your enquiries and concern will lend weight to the effort to help keep the beach quiet during this crucial time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grianane Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 It does indeed appear that DoT have given permisison for an event on that beach without realising that its part of the SSI/nature reserve and therefore that they had no authority to do so. I wonder if DAFF will prosecute if it goes ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 I have just seen a notice at Cranstal which is about a mile Ramsey side of the Point of Ayre. The event is due to be held on Sunday 6th July from 9am-11am. I have no idea how much of the beach is being used but lets start with the old DHPP and see what they can tell us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Ports people know nothing about it but they believe permission has not been granted to the club to hold the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Totally agree, just waiting for some Dr bloke from the wildlife and conservation department at Knockaloe to call me back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJW Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 I wonder if DAFF will prosecute if it goes ahead. I'm thinking more along the lines of how I can get it stopped. Prevention being better than cure and all that. The lady mentions, in her email, that DAFF are going to be fact finding which (I presume) will involve going up to the reserve to ascertain what the status of breeding birds is up there. Unfortunately I have no confidence in their ability to do this accurately. Looks like I'm going to be stood on the beach on Sunday morning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJW Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Totally agree, just waiting for some Dr bloke from the wildlife and conservation department at Knockaloe to call me back. So am I. I think his first name is Richard (?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shit3hawk Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Get over it it's the 2 day enduro same as last year, if you had taken the time to look at their website you would have seen this 2 Day Enduro just the same as last year they will run around the "Point" below the high water mark , If any of your terns ar nesting below the high water mark they must be a special breed of sub aquatic terns and not the type you are on bleating about, CJW Posted Today, 10:28 AM Looks like I'm going to be stood on the beach on Sunday morning... I hope you will be a safe distance from the enduro route as we wouldn't want anything to happen or will you be up there worrying the birds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJW Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Get over it it's the 2 day enduro same as last year, if you had taken the time to look at their website you would have seen this 2 Day Enduro just the same as last year they will run around the "Point" below the high water mark , If any of your terns ar nesting below the high water mark they must be a special breed of sub aquatic terns and not the type you are on bleating about, CJW Posted Today, 10:28 AM Looks like I'm going to be stood on the beach on Sunday morning... I hope you will be a safe distance from the enduro route as we wouldn't want anything to happen or will you be up there worrying the birds Oh I see. It's happened before so it should be allowed to continue... The placement of the birds' nests/chicks is not the issue, it's the disturbance caused by however many motorcycles going past very close to those nests that is the problem. Your attitude, as indicated by the reference to "your terns" is fairly typical of those who have no understanding of matters outside their own blinkered view. Let me make this clear "THEY'RE EVERYONE'S TERNS" and part of the island's already undervalued natural heritage. These birds already have to suffer the disturbance from dog-walkers, fisherman and general tourists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Git Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Looks like I'm going to be stood on the beach on Sunday morning... These birds already have to suffer the disturbance from dog-walkers, fisherman and general tourists. So why are you going to stand on the beach? Are you somehow better than the rest of the dog walkers, fisherman and general tourists? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJW Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 So why are you going to stand on the beach? Are you somehow better than the rest of the dog walkers, fisherman and general tourists? Pretty much. Because I'm fully aware of where the nesting birds are and how best to avoid disturbance to them. There are very few, if any, people on the island who know more about the breeding habits of the birds on the Ayres NNR than I. Don't try and be a "smart Alec" over this issue with irrelevant ill-informed arguments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I don't know Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh I see. It's happened before so it should be allowed to continue...The placement of the birds' nests/chicks is not the issue, it's the disturbance caused by however many motorcycles going past very close to those nests that is the problem. Your attitude, as indicated by the reference to "your terns" is fairly typical of those who have no understanding of matters outside their own blinkered view. Let me make this clear "THEY'RE EVERYONE'S TERNS" and part of the island's already undervalued natural heritage. These birds already have to suffer the disturbance from dog-walkers, fisherman and general tourists So everyone’s Terns are nesting on EVERYONE’S BEACH and the only people who can use it, are a few bobble hat-wearing twitches hiding in the dunes. Is that not a blinkered view or is only your blinkered view allowed. I was up there on Sunday fishing, I had my dog with me and I will continue to do so. Anyone know any good recipes for Terns as they’re everyone’s I fancy a couple for tea. One good Tern deserves another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Git Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Don't try and be a "smart Alec" over this issue with irrelevant ill-informed arguments. If you're worried about people on the beach then it was relevant and anyway, how is a simple question ill informed? Nice way to win support for your cause BTW, might have a wander over the beach myself that weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Don't try and be a "smart Alec" over this issue with irrelevant ill-informed arguments. If you're worried about people on the beach then it was relevant and anyway, how is a simple question ill informed? Nice way to win support for your cause BTW, might have a wander over the beach myself that weekend. Yer - Grumpy Git Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shit3hawk Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh I see. It's happened before so it should be allowed to continue... hell of a arguement on ya fella so does that mean i can put on my nimby hat and jump up and down saying that we should stop all the birds from breeding because they did it last year , get off your high horse before you fall off, muppet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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