How to limit the erosion of the dunes.
Erosion of the dunes have caused the movement of the pill-boxes, which were
originally on the dunes.
Wooden posts were erected along the edge of the shore in front of "les
Ecardines" housing estate to limit the erosion of the dunes. They break
the force of the waves and in time new dunes appear.
Other posts have also been erected in « la baie de l'abri cotier»
for the breeding of mussel beds.
Water-mark.
On
the beach, one can find many different sorts of shells (cockle, variegated
scallop, razor shell...) and gasteropods (whelk, dogwhelk, necklace shell)...
together with cuttlefish and the eggs of both ray and monk-fish.
Highland cattle and ponies.
Since
1987, Scottish highland cattle together with ponies have grazed on the wetlands
in order to keep down the grass. This allows many wild flowers to be seen
as well as the nesting of lapwings.
The natural reserve "le Platier d'Oye" is twinned with two european
reserves : Zwanenwater to the north of Amsterdam and Titchwell in Great-Britain
(Norfolk).
Nature guides from Oye-Plage and two kentish towns Capel-le-Ferne ( twinned
with Oye-Plage) and Sandwich Bay keep in touch and meet to discuss about the
reserves.
The Association of the Nature Guides of the Platier d'Oye was formed in 1984
and the public is offered the opportunity to visit the different reserves
of the region. The guides also organise the clearing of the beach during the
first week-end in spring time.