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Hesketh Out Marsh

Hesketh Out Marsh
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Male shelduck in flight

The RSPB is developing a fantastic new nature reserve on the Ribble Estuary in Lancashire.

September 2008 saw the breaching of a sea wall, letting the tidal waters of the Ribble Estuary wash over 168 hectares of what, since the 1980s, has been reclaimed farmland.

With the wall gone, the area has become the biggest managed realignment project in the country. It will slowly revert to its natural state, an expanse of saltmarsh, crisscrossed with creeks and dotted with lagoons.

Since the RSPB bought the site in 2006, it has been working with the Environment Agency to prepare the site for the breach, while maintaining flood protection for surrounding land.

Now the water has returned the RSPB will manage the site as a breeding ground for wading birds such as lapwings, redshanks, avocet and oystercatcher and as a vital winter refuge for species like pink-footed geese, whooper swans, wigeons, teals and golden plovers.

Contact information

Denby Dale Office
Westleigh Mews
Wakefield Road, Denby Dale
Huddersfield
HD8 8QD
Telephone: 01484 861148

Map

Important note

This site is one of several that due to its size, location and/or conservation sensitivity is not capable of accommodating visitors (unless stated).

Where possible, we have indicated the nearest equivalent RSPB nature reserve suitable for visiting. If you require further information, please use the contact details provided.

This does not affect any statutory rights of access under CROW or SOAC legislation.

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