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Our work here
31 March 2010
Up to 18,000 migrant and wintering waterfowl flock to the Hayle estuary – especially during severe weather, when conditions here may be milder than elsewhere in the UK.
But the reserve is under severe pressure from urban development and recreational activities. The RSPB is helping to safeguard the site as a refuge for birds and for its wider biodiversity.
Turning the tide
We are working to maintain the inter-tidal habitat as a feeding and roosting refuge for wintering waterfowl, gulls and waders. This involves working with local authorities to prevent public disturbance, and liaising with developers to prevent any new development from impinging on these areas.
Ryan's Field
We are managing Ryan's Field as a high tide roost for water birds by reducing disturbance and controlling visitor access. We have created a saline lagoon and islands, some of which are covered in shingle to attract roosting and nesting birds.
Finding out more
We are conducting ongoing research into the effects of visitor disturbance and habitat management on birds and other wildlife, including key plants such as common cord-grass.
Vision for visitors
We aim to raise our public profile, and are working to attract up to 15,000 visitors per year. Our work includes maintaining leaflets, notice boards and other interpretative material, and improving facilities such as the trails, car park and hide.
We will also liaise closely with the media, provide information in nearby Hayle town, and will recruit more staff and volunteers to lead educational groups.
Running our reserve
We are working to run the reserve in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner, and will conduct an environmental audit in keeping with the society's 'greening' policy. We are also building good working relations with all stakeholders, including conservation organisations, local authorities and neighbours. We invite key people to an annual reserve event and send out a reserve newsletter.