Endangered shorebirds nesting along the Northumberland coastline are expected to face their toughest breeding session yet.

The staff of Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve (LNNR), working along the Northumberland coast in partnership with Northumberland Coast National Landscape Team, the National Trust and Space for Shorebirds through the LIFE WADER project, have been observing the precarious situation of these birds and have raised alarm over the potential decline in their breeding success and survival rates this coming spring.

The Northumberland coast serves as a sanctuary to the critically endangered shorebirds that travel thousands of miles every spring to feed, roost and breed.

The shorebirds are being strained by the erratic weather with the impact exacerbated by visitor recreation.

Senior reserve manager Andrew Craggs said: "Since Autumn last year the coastline has been battered by unseasonably high levels of rainfall and some of the strongest and most persistent winds and highest tides I've ever seen.

Many of our shorebirds, already exhausted from their epic migration, have struggled to establish their usual nests.

"This has the potential to hugely impact breeding success and survival rates."

The Northumberland Coast is home to some of the rarest shorebirds in the UK that breed along the beaches, saltmarshes and rocky shores. These avian species have suffered significant drops in population over the last 30 years due to habitat loss, increased coastal recreation and climate change.

Ranger for National Trust Northumberland, James Porteus, called on visitors to be more considerate during the breeding season. He said: “Climate change is making nesting conditions increasingly challenging, but this is sadly exacerbated by humans. Although the coast is of course for everyone to enjoy, it’s important that we all respect the wildlife here too.

"During breeding season it’s vitally important that dog owners keep their dogs on leads at key breeding areas – dogs can unwittingly scare the vulnerable and exhausted birds and every year we lose nests to dog disturbance.”

Efforts have been ramped up in a bid to alleviate the harsh environmental conditions for the birds.

The teams at Lindisfarne NNR and the National Trust Long Nanny site, for instance, have constructed sandbanks using brash vegetation to create more concealed and elevated nesting areas.

In the same efforts, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve will receive additional support from the LIFE WADER project over the next two years.

The LIFE WADER project, co-funded by the European Union, aims to enhance the ecological condition of more than 49,000 hectares of river, coastal and marine habitat and improve water quality.

The Reserve staff have prepared a free booklet titled 'Wild & Wonderful' to raise awareness about the birds of the Northumberland Coast.

This guide, together with planned activities and workshops, will be offered to visitors from a new mobile visitor centre during spring and summer.

Mr Craggs said: “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors over the coming months - there has never been a better time for the public to learn about our exceptional local wildlife and the challenges it faces.

"Together we can all make a difference to its future survival.”

For details regarding the spring and summer activities, kindly visit www.lindisfarnennr.blogspot.com.