RSPB creates new reserve on Humber Island

The RSPB is developing a new wildlife reserve in Yorkshire. Whitton Island, on the Humber, will become an 'island paradise' for birds.

Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta Adult calling whilst standing in lake with concentric rings on surface, Norfolk, UK, Europe

By Sian Anna Lewis

March 6th, 2017 at 10:00 am

The RSPB has announced a new reserve for wildlife which they hope will become an ‘island paradise’ for birds.

The charity has signed a 50 year lease on Whitton Sands, a secluded island on the Humber in Yorkshire.

The new nature reserve has rarely been visited by people and the 120 hectare site has become a haven for marsh harriers, avocets and bearded tits, as well as wintering hen harriers and lots of pink footed geese, lapwings and golden plovers.

Work will begin this summer to improve the island for its winged inhabitants, including creating a lagoon and roost sites for ducks and geese.

Whitton Island will form part of the Humber Wildfowl Refuge and will not be open to the public.

Pete Short, RSPB Humber Sites Manager, said: “The acquisition of Whitton Sands has given us a great opportunity to improve the protection for the internationally Humber Estuary’s important birds. It’s a great step towards ensuring the Estuary’s wildlife will thrive for generations to come. Combined with all our other reserves on the Humber we are proud to be able to provide a winter home and migration stopover for more than a 100,000 water birds.”