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ARCHIVED - Irresponsible dog owners threaten depleting Kentish Plover populations on Torrevieja beach
Nesting of this endangered bird species at La Mata beach, Torrevieja, has declined since 2020
Kentish Plover populations flourished at Torrevieja's La Mata beach during the pandemic and the endangered bird recovered its nesting habitat in the dune area, largely due to a lack of unleashed dogs, crowds and also efforts by the Town Hall.
Torrevieja Council made the most of the less frequented coastline and fenced off a section of the beach, stepping up vigilance and urging the public to do the same to protect the unique nesting site.
However, nesting has declined notably since the pandemic, attributed to the fact a ban on dogs in the area is not being respected.
The plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) is a small bird typical of coastal lagoons and beaches with dune systems, and populations are seriously threatened due to falling nest numbers over the last two decades.
In the Department of the Environment's official species protection register, the bird is classified as "vulnerable", although the Spanish Ornithological Society (SEO), in its latest edition of the Red Book of Birds, raised the category of threat to "endangered".
Pairs of Kentish Plovers successfully nested in the dunes of La Mata beach and the Molino del Agua municipal nature reserve during the pandemic, taking advantage of the solitude.
The summer of 2020, when the saturation of Torrevieja's largest beach was substantially reduced, the plovers returned to make five nests, and 11 chicks hatched.In 2021 there were four nests with 13 chicks.
However, in 2022, the numbers were reduced to just three pairs with eight chicks. Breeding has already started this year, which can last until July-August, and only two pairs of plovers have been located.
According to the Town Council, the greatest threat to the nesting and breeding of this bird on the sand is not so much bathers, as the species has become accustomed to human presence beyond the protective fencing: it's unleashed dogs.
Pets are forbidden by the municipal ordinance for beaches - with the exception of designated stretches for dogs - and this is not the case at La Mata.
In addition, the coastline of Molino del Agua (Paraje Natural Municipal), which is enclosed to protect the nesting plover pairs, has been listed as a protected natural area in the Territorial Action Plan for Green Coastal Infrastructures (PATIVEL) since 2018.
This prohibits dogs on the sands from March 1 to June 30.
A lack of surveillance due to scarce human resources doesn't help, but ultimately, responsibility for policing the beach regulations falls to Environmental Agents, the Guardia Civil and Local Police, because the beach is part of the public maritime land domain.
To raise awareness about the plover and its plight, biologist Estefanía Alonso, in collaboration Torrevieja Town Hall, has organised activities in local primary schools. The scheme includes photographic exhibitions and activities to "bring children closer to these small birds and allow them to get to know their natural habitat".
Image: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja
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