“The Signs Everyone Pretends Not to See (A Beach Story About Oystercatchers)”

A small observation about beaches, birds… and people who pretend not to see the signs.

One of the signs posted along the beach where African oystercatchers nest.

Most weekends, provided the Cape southeaster wind isn’t howling or the rain isn’t falling, we take a walk along our favourite beach near home. It’s a beautiful stretch of sand that forms part of a Marine Protected Area where African oystercatchers nest at this time of year, laying their eggs directly on the sand.

Their chicks are tiny and almost invisible against the beach. Their natural camouflage helps protect them from predators, but it also makes them extremely vulnerable to being disturbed by dogs or careless walkers.

Sometimes we spot them; often we don’t. They hide quietly in the dunes, blending so perfectly with the sand that you could walk right past them without ever realising they were there.

There are clear signs that no dogs are allowed on this beach, even if they are on leash. The signs are large. They are distinct. They are impossible to miss. Unfortunately, the dogs are also hard to miss.

We often come across dog walkers who plead innocence. “But we never saw the sign,” they say, or “This rule is ridiculous—rather deal with real crime.” My personal favourite, however, is the classic defence: “My dog is well-behaved; he wouldn’t hurt a thing.”

Then there is the performance art. We often see dog owners suddenly develop a fascinating interest in the sky. They stare at the clouds as if they’ve just spotted a UFO or are trying to predict the weather for the week. Only when you glance down do you realise the dog is doing its business — while the owner performs a flawless “I see nothing” impression.

Law Enforcement patrols the area from time to time, and when they do, the mood shifts instantly. The carefree strollers become subdued.

On one occasion, we watched a man slowly wading deeper and deeper into the ocean with his dog. His logic seemed to be that if he was technically “in the water,” the local beach patrol had no jurisdiction. The dog seemed delighted with the swimming plan. The owner, less so.

One day, just as we were heading home, we spotted a woman standing quietly in the dunes with her two Golden Retrievers, waiting for Law Enforcement to leave. We sometimes wonder if there is a secret WhatsApp group where local dog owners share updates: Red alert, Law Enforcement on the beach. Hide in the bushes!

Why do some people feel that rules are optional? Why do shared spaces become someone else’s problem?

We’ve also seen dog owners stopping to pick up litter, which is wonderful. But does picking up a plastic bottle give you a free pass to ignore the “no dogs” signs?

The oystercatchers continue their work, fiercely protecting their chicks. They don’t know about signs, rules, or WhatsApp messages. They simply do what nature taught them to do.

Sometimes, I wish we humans were half as considerate.

Do you deal with this at your local parks? Tell me your funniest “rule-breaker” stories in the comments below!

— Frannie ☕