Fragile natural environments

Hedges for hedgehogs

Hedges are an everyday part of our environment. They are composed of trees and/or shrubs and border land, roads, gardens, buildings etc.

Protecting against the wind, interrupting the path of water, they are a source of biodiversity. We need them in our daily lives and so do animals (owls, blue tits and even hedgehogs).

Let’s talk more about hedgehogs. Often appearing in our gardens, in  fields or on roads, their habitat is endangered and in danger of disappearing due to the incessant evolution of human life on earth. Indeed, the land and bushes they use for shelter are gradually being replaced by concrete. Hedgehogs are nomadic and solitary.

To help preserve them, you can plant hedges, bushes or even give them something to nest in ! They will thank you by helping you get rid of the slugs and beetles that are damaging your garden !

Seahorses and the foreshore

The foreshore is the part that, depending on the tides, is covered or not by water. Depending on the nature of the coastline, it can be rocky, sandy, muddy or a mixture of all of these.

It is because of this phenomenon that certain species, both plant and animal, find themselves trapped ! Indeed, this can be critical when the water level is low.

Among these animals, there is a species known to all but whose existence in the foreshore is unknown to many : the short-snouted seahorse and its cousins, the greater pipefish and the worm pipefish. Hidden in the sea grass beds, it is difficult to imagine that they can live on our coasts because we usually imagine them living in tropical waters ! To this day, there have been very few scientific studies carried out on this very well-known species! Many are concerned about this situation, as the seahorse is on the verge of extinction, etc.

In the Manche, the species has been protected since 2017. If you find a seahorse or any other of its above-mentioned cousins during your walks, it is important to inform the “harbour watch” programme: vigiedeshavres@associationavril.org or directly on the website, (a date, a place and a picture are recommended, so that they can spread the information to the scientists).

Tide wrack and the Kentish plover

The tide wrack is all the debris accumulated by the sea and all the detritus deposited on the beach as the tide changes. This term is used in across the world. It also draws a line or band that represents the limit of the waves. It represents a food reservoir for all birds, especially the plovers, and contributes to the coastal ecosystem.

The Kentish plover is a coastal bird species. It can be distinguished from other adult plover species by its dark incomplete bands, either side of the breast, and its dark legs and bill.

In a few figures :

• A 50% decrease in their number over 10 years (2010-2019) in the Manche department
• The largest micro-colony is located between the sailing school and the tip of Agon-Coutainville, where there are about twenty couples
• Females can lay up to four eggs per year
• They can live up to twenty years
• 5 months is the breeding period of the species between April and August.

How to protect the plover :

• Do not pick up litter on beaches during the breeding season
• Keep dogs on a leash
• When you discover a nest, you can contact the GONm, which will inform you on the right steps to take: +33 (0)2 31 43 52 56