A PLEA has been issued for walkers on the beaches of Morecambe Bay to help ensure baby birds can survive this summer.

Morecambe Bay Partnership said as the summer holidays begin and beaches become busier, beach-nesting birds struggle to protect their families.

But simple changes to people’s behaviour during the breeding season of March to August will give the young chicks the space they need to survive, it said.

Beach-goers, off-lead dogs and vehicles pose a huge threat to birds like oystercatchers and ringed plover as eggs can be accidentally crushed and adults scared away from their chicks, leaving them more at risk of attack from predators like crows and foxes.

Amy Hopley, Morecambe Bay Partnership’s nature and wildlife officer said: “Right now, beach nesting birds have young chicks that aren’t yet able to fly, and depend on their parents to keep them safe.

“When you’re visiting a beach, especially if it is on a coastal nature reserve, it’s important to look for signs that indicate there are birds nesting on the shore.

“Keeping to paths and keeping dogs on leads will keep them safe until they are strong enough to fly at the end of summer.”