Interim results from a study at Bournemouth University show that walkers disturb waterfowl more regularly than wildfowling.
The ongoing study, commissioned by BASC, is measuring the relative potential impacts of a variety of activities, including dog walking and wildfowling in Poole Harbour. Research into the disturbance of wild birds is important because estuaries, such as the one at Poole Harbour, provide essential habitat for many species of waterbirds, such as godwits, wigeon, teal and avocets.