Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is a 3,541-hectare (8,750-acre) Ramsar site, a wetland of international significance, founded specifically to help safeguard internationally important wintering bird populations. Six internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds winter here, including Amber Listed Pale-bellied Brent Geese (Branta bernicla hrota, Lindisfarne is by far the UK\u2019s most important regular wintering site), the Amber Listed Pink-footed Geese, and the Amber Listed (Eurasian) Wigeon.<\/p>\n
Natural England\u2019s \u2018official guide\u2019 to Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, says that \u201cin autumn and winter the mudflats host huge flocks of wintering waterfowl, which arrive from the Arctic to feed on the extremely rich supply of marine creatures and vegetation living in and on the mud.\u201d It urges visitors \u201cto keep to existing routes to minimise damage to this very sensitive habitat.\u201d Of the Pale-bellied Brent Geese it says \u201cthe Reserve is the largest wintering site in Britain and holds approximately half of the world population.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over and over again, we are told just how important Lindisfarne NNR is for biodiversity. In a section on \u201cHelp us to look after the Reserve\u201d, Natural England asks that visitors \u201ckeep dogs on a lead or at heel at all times to avoid disturbance to birds\u201d and not to \u201cdisturb wildlife, remove animals or plants or touch nests and eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the last page of the pdf it says that \u201cEngland\u2019s National Nature Reserves are among the best wildlife and earth heritage sites in the country and many are important in an international context.\u201d<\/p>\n
And how does BASC celebrate this internationally important wildlife? By raffling it to its gun-toting members\u2026<\/p>\n