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The sea kayak offers a fantastic platform from which to see seabirds
and seals, and even whales and dolphins in their natural environment.
To experience the nature of the sea at such close quarters is an
amazing privilege, but like all privileges it carries a responsibility.
In our enthusiasm to see wild animals we can accidentally cause
disturbance without realising it, so a good way to minimise our impact
on wildlife is to become more knowledgeable about it. For instance, an
awareness of the breeding seasons of birds and seals will help us avoid
getting too close when they are most sensitive to our presence.
This
advice from the Scottish Canoe Association (SCA) provides useful
guidance on the main animal species and natural habitats that you will
encounter whilst sea kayaking.
Minimising Disturbance
When encountering wildlife, whether on sea or on land, your aim should
be to minimise any disturbance that you might cause to wild animals and
the habitats in which they live. In order to achieve this the following
basic principles should be adhered to:
Try not to startle or panic
wild animals; never surround them, and don’t block them in from their
escape routes. You will enjoy the sightings much more if they are
relaxed about your presence. Sudden movements scare wildlife and give
you away.
Be aware that the size of your group, the length of time
you are there, and the frequency of human disturbance are all factors
that could threaten their wellbeing.
Don’t linger for too long when you are close to wildlife. By all means look, but then move on.
As
well as avoiding disturbance to marine animals, also be aware of the
need to avoid damaging plants and the habitats that the animals depend
upon.
Remember, you are sharing the environment – leave it undisturbed for the wildlife and those who follow.
Sea Birds
Cliff nesting seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes
are most vulnerable when the adults are with their eggs and young
chicks. If they are suddenly scared off the ledges they may lose their
young, which may fall or be taken by predators. It is good practice to
move by quietly and steadily so as not to panic the birds. As well as
being aware of cliff nesting birds whilst you are on the water,
remember that your presence whilst walking on clifftops could also be
threatening to the birds. The vulnerable time is mid May to early July.
Puffins nest in burrows along the tops of cliffs. Walking over a
burrow can crush the nest, or cause the adult to desert its young, so
try to be aware of their presence. Reckless destruction of active
burrows is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended).
You become 'reckless' once you have become aware and continue what you
are doing. Be vigilant for nest grounds and move out of any breeding
area as soon as you realise you are in or close to it.
Around 50%
of the EU’s seabirds are found around the UK coastline, but over the
past few years their breeding success has reduced alarmingly. It is
therefore vital that we do our best to avoid disturbance and help
seabird numbers to become re-established.
Birds on the Open Sea
Try to avoid panicking seabirds on the water into flight. If you
encounter large rafts of ducks, often eider or shelduck, avoid
splitting up these rafts as the chicks are vulnerable to predators.
Adult birds at sea are likely to be feeding or resting so disturbance
is likely to cause them to expend extra energy, thereby reducing their
feeding time, which in turn affects their survival chances. In late
summer many birds moult and are at their weakest and most vulnerable.
Move away quietly and steadily as soon as you are aware of being close
to a colony.
Seal colonies
There are two species of seal in Scotland, the common seal and grey
seal. The common seal pups from May to July, whilst the grey seal pups
in October and November, and is the larger species with the Roman nose.
Avoid beaches with small pups on them, as a sudden disturbance can lead
to pups being squashed, or separated from their parents. Common seal
pups can go into the sea almost immediately after birth, whereas grey
seal pups remain on the beach for about 3 weeks as they cannot swim.
Never land on a beach with a colony of breeding seals, except in an emergency.
Seals
will often watch kayakers pass by, either from a rock or in the water.
Do not use your ability to approach quietly as a way to get close to
seals. If you approach silently, seals (and other animals) may be
startled by your sudden appearance. The best way to avoid causing them
to panic is to avoid making eye contact. If you watch a seal out of the
corner of your eyes it is far less likely to dive. Try to maintain a
slow, steady and predictable rhythm as you paddle past seals.
Please be aware that many tour boat owners make a living from taking
tourists to look at seal colonies. The seals usually stay put when
these boats approach, but often take to the water when kayaks are in
the same area. Difficulties arise when kayakers cause the seals to
leave their rocks and beaches, to be followed by tour boats with
tourists who are disappointed at not seeing the seals hauled out on
land and this in turn leaves the tour boat owners annoyed. Try to be
aware of the areas where such tour boats operate and take extra care to
avoid disturbing the seals.
Porpoises, Dolphins, Whales and Basking Sharks
The Scottish coast is renowned for its range of cetaceans
(porpoises, dolphins and whales) and its increasing numbers of basking
sharks. All of these can be seen from a sea kayak, but it is important
to be aware how you can be a danger to the animal, and how it can be a
danger to you.
When approaching large animals - such as cetaceans
and basking sharks, remember - a moving kayak outline can appear
threatening when heading straight towards them. Always approach at an
oblique angle. Move steadily and predictably, and do not go too close.
Never
chase after a cetacean or basking shark. If they want to see you they
will come over and check you out, but if they choose to swim away from
you then respect their wish.
Porpoises never show any interest in kayaks so you will just see them swim by without altering their course.
Dolphins
on the other hand are more inquisitive and will often come over towards
you. The best advice if you are close to dolphins is to just stay still
and watch, or maintain a straight course and they will follow if they
are interested in you.
There are various species of whales in
Scottish waters and they can also come close to you. Their colossal
size is obvious when they are next to you, so avoid blocking their
escape route, but otherwise stay still and let them do the moving.
Avoid
getting too close to a basking shark as it could easily capsize you if
you get in front of it, or cause you serious injury if it lashed out
with its powerful tail with you alongside it.
Otters
Otters are commonly encountered along the Scottish coast. They
should be observed from a distance that doesn't disturb their routine
activities, such as fishing, resting and playing. Under no
circumstances should they be pursued by kayak.
Shingle Shores and Dunes
Terns, ringed plovers and oystercatchers all nest on shingle
beaches. Care should be taken not to disturb nesting birds on these
sites between early May and early July. The eggs and chicks are very
well camouflaged against the shingle and are easily trodden underfoot.
Take
care during stops not to damage vegetation on dunes, which is important
for stabilising and helping them grow. The Hebridean islands have a
unique dune grassland known as machair, which is home to wading birds
such as lapwing, ringed plover and dunlin.
Carry kayaks rather than dragging them, especially in dunes.
Seaweed
Scottish seashores have a huge variety and abundance of seaweed. One
species in particular is a rarity, with most of the world population in
Scotland, and which kayakers should be aware of and try to avoid
damaging. Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii, or wigwrack, is a form of
unattached eggwrack that grows in very specific conditions in very
sheltered sea lochs on the west coast and islands of Scotland and
around Ireland. Its distinctive form floats in shallow water at high
tide and is stranded at low tide, forming golden carpets, often with
other seaweeds. It provides a sheltered and humid habitat for lots of
animal species. Kayakers should learn to recognise this type of seaweed
and avoid trampling it. The largest bed of this seaweed in Scotland is
in Loch Duich, although there are many other locations where it can be
found growing, particularly on the Western Isles. Plantlife Scotland
would be grateful for any reports of sites, if seen. Link to Plantlife
document on wigwrack -
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-scotland-species-conservation-wig-wrack.html.
Non-Native or Alien Species
The seas around Scotland contain a number of non-native, or alien,
species of plants and animals, some of which can cause problems due to
their ability to out compete our native species.
One such species
is a seaweed known as wireweed or Sargassum muticum. Wireweed is native
to the western Pacific, but is now found in many other regions. First
found in Scotland in 2004, it is spreading within the Firth of Clyde
and along the Argyll coast, and has now reached Skye. To find out more
about wireweed, visit www.snh.org.uk/wireweed. Take care not to
transfer seaweed between locations by cleaning your boat and checking
inside the housing of retractable skegs.
For further information
about alien species visit the Marine Life Information Network website
at: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/marine_aliens/marine_aliens.htm.
Estuaries
Scotland's estuaries play host to waders and waterfowl between
October and March. Undisturbed feeding and resting may be vital to
their survival, especially in severe weather. Avoid mudflats and
sandbanks with large concentrations of birds.
Rocky Outcrops and Marshes
Be aware that rocky outcrops and marshes often provide shelter and
safety for wildlife. Otters use outcrops for their nest holts and seals
haul out onto rocks exposed by the tide. A number of birds live in
marsh areas and use reed beds for security from predators.
On Land
When on land kayakers still need to be aware of their
responsibilities towards wildlife. Do not leave behind any food scraps,
as these attract scavenging animals and birds. Take out all your litter
and if you take out some litter left by other people you will be
leaving the coastline that bit cleaner than it was before your visit.
Follow the SCA’s advice on Wild Camping and Human Sanitation.
Fires
Sea kayakers on multi-day trips will quite often have a fire on a
beach as part of their overnight camping experience. Following a few
simple guidelines should ensure that you don’t cause any damage.
- Fires
below the high water mark are washed away by the next high tide, so
this can be a good way of ensuring that your fire is cleared away and
properly put out.
- Before starting to build a fire assess the fire
risk. Consider the wind direction and strength and think about the
proximity of any dry forest or vegetation. If in doubt, don’t have a
fire.
- Be careful on boulder beaches that there aren’t any birds, such as storm petrels nesting under the boulders.
- If
you have a fire above the high water mark then use established fire
rings or mound fires on sand or soil piled up to provide a protective
base for your fire.
- Make sure your fire is well burnt out and that
there is no risk of it spreading before you go to your tents and check
there is no trace whatsoever of your fire before leaving in the
morning.
- The Leave No Trace website and publications have good advice on fires.
Kayaking in Context
The impact that sea kayakers have on the sea has to be seen in
context. Compared to certain industries and other recreational
activities the disturbance we cause is minimal, but we should not be
complacent. We should all strive to learn more about the sea, and
develop skills and senses that ensure marine wildlife does not suffer
from our visits. The breeding season for birds and common seals
coincides with the best conditions for kayaking, so it is important to
be aware of the needs of wildlife.
Seeking Further Wildlife Advice
If in doubt about carrying out any activity contact SNH or one of
the nature conservation bodies (RSPB, SWT, Plantlife, etc.) for advice
regarding special areas, or species that may be at risk from your
presence, or particular nesting and breeding times when you should be
particularly vigilant.
The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has a duty under Part 3 Section 51
of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to “prepare and issue a
code, to be known as the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code,
setting out recommendations, advice and information relating to
commercial and leisure activities involving the watching of marine
wildlife”. This Code was published in November 2007.
The three principles defined in the Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code are:
- Be
aware. Before you go wildlife watching learn as much as you can about
the animals. Understand how your actions could affect wildlife and
recognise the signs that animals make when they feel threatened. Be
alert, observant and patient, and be sensitive to the interests of the
wildlife you are watching.
- Take responsibility for your own
actions. Constantly assess wildlife, and if you see signs of
disturbance move away quietly. Consider how much time you spend
watching animals. The presence of people over long periods can be
disturbing, however careful you may be.
- Have respect for other
people, wildlife and the environment. Use your right of responsible
access wisely. Respect the privacy and livelihoods of those who live by
the sea. Leave the environment as you find it.
The Scottish Marine
Wildlife Watching Code also contains a useful section on the law (page
23) in which it sets out a list of points taken from conservation
legislation. Offences that paddlers should be aware of include the
following:
It is an offence:
- to intentionally or recklessly
disturb any specially protected bird at its nest, or its young before
they are wholly independent;
- to interfere with the nest or nest sites of the white-tailed eagle at any time;
- to harass the white-tailed eagle at any time;
- to
deliberately or recklessly harass any whale, dolphin, porpoise or
basking shark. These offences can incur fines and/or up to 6 months in
prison.
Identification of Species
It is always interesting to get home from a trip and look up in a
wildlife book a bird or mammal that you have seen. Most sea kayakers
have a few wildlife books to help them with their identification
queries. To get you started on bird identification, the small bird you
often see running around beaches is a sanderling.
Links to Further Information
The Scottish Marine Wildlife Watching Code http://www.marinecode.org/
Scottish Natural Heritage http://www.snh.org.uk/
Marine Conservation Society http://www.mcsuk.org/mcsaction/scotland
RSPB Scotland http://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/
Wildlife Trusts basking shark information http://baskingsharks.wildlifetrusts.org/
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
List of protected bird species http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/waca1981_schedule1.pdf
Plantlife Scotland http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-scotland.html
Scottish Wildlife Trust http://www.swt.org.uk/
Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) http://www.marlin.ac.uk/
Leave No Trace http://www.lnt.org/
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