There's always a lot happening on the Sefton Coast - even if we can't see it. Sefton Council's John Dempsey, who is part of the Green Sefton service, goes behind the scenes and tells us all about the latest coast headlines for a regular column in the Southport Visiter.

Read his latest column below and find out about an event you're welcome to come to on Sunday 20th September:

The Sefton Coast with John Dempsey: Help protect our wildlife by visiting our ambassadors

With summer coming to a close, the Sefton Coast's wildlife relies on visitors observing byelaws more than ever.

The crowds of July and August may diminish in human terms at least, but in their place thousands of migrating birds are passing through, while resident species are busy building up energy levels and fat supplies to see them through the coming winter.

Do not disturb

In many ways disturbance can be as damaging now as during the breeding season - if birds cannot rest, feed up and build energy they will simply fail to complete epic migratory journeys.

Some of these species will try to get as far as South Africa or even Antarctica for the winter months.

Disturbing them means they burn energy to avoid what they see as a threat - and that can be anything from someone walking along the tideline to a dog or horse.

If this happens repeatedly birds will simply become exhausted and die.

Many of our visitors observe the rules landowners stipulate because they understand a precious landscape like this one must be protected - sadly others seem to think it's okay to ignore the protections this coastline enjoys as if actions have no consequences.

By disturbing wildlife and ignoring codes of conduct, whether a horse-rider, dogwalker, jogger or birdwatcher, species suffer and in some cases numbers are clearly in decline.

Join our ambassadors

Sefton Council and other landowners on the coast want visitors to enjoy their time here, but it is also vital to respect and protect the place too.

Helping to get this message across are wonderful volunteers who step up as ambassadors for the coast, speaking to visitors, explaining the fragility of the species that occur here and sharing knowledge and information on everything from shipwrecks to migrant butterflies.

Coastal community ranger Jordan Scott holds regular events with the ambassadors welcoming visitors to the coast at Crosby, Ainsdale and Formby.

Jordan and the ambassadors are next out on Sunday, September 20 from noon to 3pm at Ainsdale Beach.

Look out for the Green Sefton gazebo (or the hi-vis jackets if the weather is too fierce!) at the beach entrance, where the team will have free booklets full of information about the coast to give away.

Calling all dogs!

There'll also be an opportunity for our four-legged friends to sign up as "Dog Rangers", receiving a "paw-sonalised" certificate and cool bandana - just the thing for a walk on the beach on wild autumn days.

Owners of Dog Rangers agree to make sure their pets do not disturb wildlife or habitats, and of course, clean up any fouling on site.

If you'd like to sign up as an ambassador, contact Jordan Scott for more details - her email is jordan.scott@sefton.gov.uk.

Don't worry if you can't make September 20th, there will be plenty of other opportunities to help spread the message when it comes to visitors, and the message is "Protect, Respect and Enjoy the Sefton Coast".

You can read all of John's Sefton Coast columns in the Southport Visiter, and be sure to keep an ear out for future coast updates in the new My Sefton News Podcast, available on all popular platforms!