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TOPIC: WK Kitesurf Restrictions
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neil (Admin)
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Posts: 64
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 3  
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Reading Mr Smith’s paper I thought of other reasons that may have affected the number of Bird Roosting on the Islands. Does anyone have figures of the number of people visiting the beach / Hilbre Islands, as I believe it will have increase since the Foot & Mouth out break in 2001. The increased number of visitors may have disturbed the bird, making them unlikely to return the following season.
I wonder when the bird watchers will ask for a ban on flying Kites on the beach.
What about the Micro lights that fly in the area?
Back in 1986/7 the lake was extended out into the Dee Estuary. I believe that the original plan was to extend it even further into Estuary, but there was an _object_ion, from (you guessed) the Local Bird watching groups saying it would affect that wading bird. I find it funny that Mr Smith’s paper proposes that Kitesurfers now use the same area.
I windsurf and fly kites but I don’t Kitesurf (not given in to the Darkside, yet). However, I have followed Kitesurfing for a number of years, having read, watch / talked to people whist in Tarifa (1996 when it was first starting), then in the UK at Whitstable, Kent and Redcar near Middlesbrough. I have also watch ‘birds’ not of the feathered variety though, so I may be a bit biased to Kitesurfing.
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 6  
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It seems quite a few people are e-mailing, so good on you all.
If you need some inspiration have a read of this one, courtesy of MRG...
"I am writing to make some observations about the "The Effect of Kite Surfing
on Wader Roosts at West Kirby Dee Estuary Report" paper written by Richard
Smith.
Since this paper has been presented to the local council, I feel quite
strongly that there are several inaccuracies which need to be corrected.
Firstly three minor points about the paper. My fourth point is my main
concern about the paper.
1) The lower bound limit at which kite surfers operate, certainly for West
Kirby is higher, and is probably about 5 Knots.
2) Kitesurfers have been using West Kirby for longer than one year.
3) The location of the kite doesn't not depend upon the expertise of the
kite surfer.
4) The statistics presented in figures 2 and 3 fail to take into account any
other factors which might affect bird numbers (weather etc..). Indeed no
mention is included in the associated paragraph concerning these factors and
how they affect the bird population. This is also true for section 6 of the
report. Therefore a comparison of means as a statistical test when other
factors are not taken into account is statistically invalid (I have written
a dissertation on statistical tests by the way). One must therefore conclude
that "when the conditions are most favourable for kitesurfers, on average,
during 2002/2003 there is a decrease in bird numbers. However, no
statistical link between the two events can be proven without further
analysis".
Although the author does not conclude that there is a direct correlation
between kitsesurfing and a drop in bird numbers, the proceeding conclusions
do indicate that this is indeed his thoughts. However, the improper use of
statistics means that the paper is flawed. It presents a uni-polar view of
kitesufers and more importantly a flawed conclusion on the impact of
kitesurfers on bird numbers.
I do however welcome dialog between the bird wardens and kitesurfers and
only wished that this had happened before this polar view of kitesurfers had
been presented to the local council."
Get writing!
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 6  
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Well Yoda and I have just seen the draft for the kitesurf restrictions, and something jumped out at us.
The kitesurf restrictions are now kitesurf AND WINDSURF restrictions!
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 15  
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Some questions.....
When was the last time you were at an airport ?
How many birds were there ?
Does a Jumbo make more or less noise than a Wind/Kite surfer ?
Also my dad is a card carrying member of the RSPB - he's watched birds (of both kinds) all his life - I've mentioned this issue to him and he laughed. He said birds might be startled the very first time they see either a wind or kitesurfer but after that not at all.
Fundamentalist 'twit'chers are actually more into making a 'noise' and justifying their own existance than actually watching birds !
Some people have sailed this estuary for well over 10 years and this has not been an issue. We should ALL fight this.
Ern.
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I ned a Spullchucker !
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 6  
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It also says that the "Council advises people to follow the code of conduct. Failure to follow this code of conduct could lead to a breach of Health & Safety or Wildlife Legislation, and possible prosecution."
Taking advice of Wirral Council on windsurfing and kitesurfing! Made me laugh!
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WK Kitesurf Restrictions 20 Years, 7 Months ago
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Karma: 13  
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Guys - a few questions to help clarify the nature of these proposed restictions and to understand how to ensure a sensible outcome:
Exactly who / what body is proposing restictions?
What nature are these restictions expected to take (eg byelaw, guidelines, contractual commitment associated with lake licence or whatever) and by what lawful authority?
What is the decision process?
Is there any consultation process envisaged?
Sorry to try and reduce the forum to legalese, but I think it could matter here.
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