The RSPB in Cornwall has launched an urgent appeal to raise money to buy two hectares of land (the equivalent of five football pitches) next to its Hayle Estuary nature reserve.
Copperhouse Pool is important for a large and varied number of birds that rely on the site, feeding on the crustaceans and other invertebrates in the tidal muds and salt marshes and using part of it as roosting spot at high tide.
These include threatened species such as Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Oystercatchers and Spoonbills, all of which are popular with local people. The pool is also home to otters and over 50 species of fish.
The whole area is legally protected, forming part of the Hayle Estuary and Carrack Gladden Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Jenny Parker, RSPB Cornwall reserves Site Manager, said: “The new area we are looking to purchase, combined with part of our existing RSPB Hayle nature reserve, is one of only three very important high tide roosts on the whole of the Hayle estuary. When the tide is high, many of the wading and water birds on the estuary are squeezed up into this tiny piece of salt marsh.
“Because Copperhouse Pool is a small area supporting such a large volume of birds, the risk of disturbance from people and dogs is also extremely high. A single stray dog can scare away every single bird on this part of the estuary. By taking on the care of Copperhouse Pool alongside RSPB Hayle, we will be better able to manage potential disturbance to the whole of this vital roosting site and raise awareness locally about the potential risks to wildlife.”
To secure the future of Copperhouse Pool the charity needs the public’s help to raise the purchase funds, estimated at £19,300. A JustGiving page has been launched to raise as much as possible before the auction in February. To donate visit: justgiving.com/campaign/copperhouse
The purchase will also help deal with some of the consequences of sea-level rise due to climate change.
Jenny continues: “Rising sea levels in heavily built-up places like Hayle mean that precious salt marshes are being lost as there’s little space for them to spread upstream against roads and buildings. Buying this land means that we can protect what we currently have for as long as possible. These marshes are not only important for birds, but also for storing carbon in their rich muds.”
“There’s already amazing wildlife using and benefiting from the RSPB Hayle nature reserve, it would be fantastic if that protection was extended to this neighbouring important area of the estuary, manifesting that same level of protection right across this special site.”
