Issue - meetings

Resolved that the Executive Committee:

1.         Notes the interim results from the second annual wildlife refuge monitoring report;

2.         Receives an overarching review of monitoring results after completion of the third year of monitoring (2021).

The Executive Committee received their second annual report on the monitoring of the Exe Estuary wildlife refuge.  Regular monitoring of bird species and numbers showed that the majority of the internationally important populations of Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Wigeon and Oystercatcher in the estuary are found at Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve and Exmouth Local Nature Reserve.  The protection of these habitats and species from disturbance is a fundamental part of the mitigation strategy for the Exe Estuary.

Questions and comments covered:

·         Water based activities continued to be an issue of disturbance; communication continued with the local Harbour Master and associated officers;

·         Monitoring took place up until the first lockdown, but priorities of the Councils in dealing with the pandemic meant that this did not occur again until July;

·         Signage and footpaths at Exmouth were back in place, which should raise awareness for local users of that impact they may have on the area;

·         Information about the impact of the first lockdown was not included in the report;

·         Continued aircraft activity causing disturbance – again, contact would be made to make both military and emergency services aware of the impact via the Exe Estuary Partnership.

Resolved that the Executive Committee:

1.         Notes the interim results from the second annual wildlife refuge monitoring report;

2.         Receives an overarching review of monitoring results after completion of the third year of monitoring (2021).