New island habitat creation at the RSPB’s Dungeness Nature Reserve in Kent is set to transform the area for birds and people with two projects completed this year.
As part of this conservation work, seven islands located near Hanson Hide, ARC have been raised to varying heights and four new islands were created from scratch on Burrowes Pit to provide nesting and roosting sites for various bird species.
It is hoped the coming winter months will see different species making use of the new islands for the first time, including wildfowl like wigeon, shoveler and teal, and waders such as lapwing and golden plover. It is also anticipated more recent additions to the reserve wildlife list will use these habitats, including great white egret and glossy ibis.
Built up between 1.28m and 1.75m high, the Burrowes Pit islands cover approximately 2500m2. The physical design was considered carefully by the RSPB reserve team to benefit wildlife and provide a habitat with greater resilience to the effects of climate change.
Craig Edwards warden for RSPB Dungeness Reserve explains: “Water levels have always been a challenge at RSPB Dungeness, as we have no control over them. The extremes of weather that come with climate change has led us to increasing island heights to ensure there is suitable habitat for bird species to breed successfully.
“We’ve created more islands this year at Burrowes Pit and ARC to total 57 islands available across the reserve for nesting seabirds such as common terns and black-headed gulls. Not only will these islands be good for breeding birds, but they should form an important roosting spot in the winter and feeding spot in the spring and autumn for migrating birds as well.”
Along with benefits for wildlife, the new habitat creation at RSPB Dungeness also brings benefits for people. The RSPB hopes to install a brand new bird hide situated just 10m from the newly created island habitats at Burrowes Pit, which will allow visitors up-close nature viewing experiences without the need for binoculars.
“These islands on Burrowes Pit will create an amazing spectacle and bring the wildlife a lot closer to the public when the hide is erected in its proposed location. We anticipate this will excite and enthuse our visitors about the wonderful wildlife that is found here at Dungeness and then help us to protect it in the future,” said warden Craig.
Opinions from the local public were also considered in the planning of the new Makepeace Hide, with a consultation around the project having just recently closed, meaning the reserve team are now working on finalising design and moving this exciting project forward. Fundraising for the new hide remains opens, with the team very grateful for any support given. Details can be found here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/dungenesshide
The new hide here is part of a series of changes to renew infrastructure across the RSPB reserve to increase site accessibility and attract a broader range of visitors to RSPB Dungeness, encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to experience and enjoy nature.
Autumn is a great time to visit RSPB Dungeness nature reserve, as migrating wintering wildfowl and waders stop off at the site in their hundreds to feed. While in winter, large numbers of wildfowl, such as gadwalls, wigeons, pintails and pochards, utilise the reserve, with the new islands creating an additional habitat resource for the species visiting or residing at RSPB Dungeness.