A significant decline in some of Northumberland's internationally important seabirds has been partially put down to disturbance by humans - and their four-legged friends.
Northumberland's stunning coastline is home to populations of Ruddy Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers that are considered vital on a worldwide level, while the European Golden Plovers and Common Ringed Plovers are deemed as "nationally important".
However, their numbers have been declining in recent years. While climate change has been labelled as a factor, a study by Newcastle University, published in 2020, identified "disturbance" by walkers as another key issue, as the birds need all of their time to feed, preen and rest in order to survive the winter.
