People braving the freezing weather to visit rivers, lakes, wetlands and the coast were urged yesterday not to disturb water birds as it could threaten their survival.
People braving the freezing weather to visit rivers, lakes, wetlands and the coast were urged yesterday not to disturb water birds as it could threaten their survival.
Conservation groups say that in the current icy conditions ducks, geese, swans and wading birds squander precious energy reserves taking flight when disturbed.
Birds will be struggling to survive after seven consecutive days of freezing temperatures and need to spend as much time as possible feeding.
The plea to birdwatchers, walkers, anglers and water sports enthusiasts to minimise disturbance to wetland bird species was made by the RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and Natural England.
Dr Mark Avery, conservation director of the RSPB, said: "During freezing conditions disturbance forces the birds to squander their precious energy reserves by taking flight when they need to spend as much time as possible feeding.
"We hope everyone who uses the countryside will heed our advice, allowing the millions of birds which visit the UK's coasts and wetlands during the winter to stand a better chance of survival."
The RSPB said that if the severe weather continued for 14 days in a row, shooting of some species of duck, geese and wading bird could be suspended for a fortnight, to help them recover.
