The Oyster Beds
The oyster beds on Hayling island have long been a good spot to watch birds
but have now been a Local Nature Reserve for 3 years. Much of the impetus
for this was the European Union 'LIFE' funding associated with the conservation
of the Saline Lagoon that is a key feature of the reserve. This lagoon was
created when the outer bunds of the old oyster beds were made safe - effectively
removed - allowing much of the area to become tidal and inaccessible.
A really nice bi-product was the way little terns colonised the island in the
lagoon and have bred so successfully.
The best way to access the reserve is to park behind the Esso garage on the
Havant Road about ½ mile onto the island from the bridge at SU 716029.
Besides the birds look at the wild flowers and butterflies in the
summer. It's a good spot for clouded yellows in the late summer.
   
On 29th March some of the Hayling Lions Club joined with FOLH to remove
vegetation from the little tern island, to take out and spread more shingle and
clear a lot of plastic litter from the banks of the lagoon. It was a good
day and work well worth doing. In the first picture you see a
worker being ferried to the island in Tony Sharpes little boat, then there are
people on the island digging out sea beet & couch grass. The Lions
club ready for work and then Rita and me filling bags ready to go out to the
island.
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