This is an urgent appeal is to buy land that is the equivalent of five football pitches right next to our RSPB Hayle Estuary nature reserve. Copperhouse Pool is an important feeding spot and high tide roost for a large number of birds, including some threatened species.

RSPB Hayle Estuary appeal: Protect Copperhouse Pool

Copperhouse Pool is important for a large and varied number of birds that rely on the site, feeding on the crustaceans and other invertebrates in the tidal muds and salt marshes and using part of it as roosting spot at high tide.

These include threatened species such as Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Oystercatchers and Spoonbills, all of which are popular with local people. The pool is also home to otters and over 50 species of fish. The whole area is legally protected, forming part of the Hayle Estuary and Carrack Gladden Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Curlew on the banks of Hayle Estuary, by Kevin Bowers.

The new area we are looking to purchase, combined with part of our existing RSPB Hayle nature reserve, is one of only three very important high tide roosts on the whole of the Hayle estuary. When the tide is high, many of the wading and water birds on the estuary are squeezed up into this tiny piece of salt marsh, so safeguarding them is vital.

The Problem

Climate change: The purchase will help deal with some of the consequences of sea-level rise due to climate change. Rising sea levels in heavily built-up places like Hayle mean that precious salt marshes are being lost as there’s little space for them to spread upstream against roads and buildings. Buying this land means that we can protect what we currently have for as long as possible. These marshes are not only important for birds, but also for storing carbon in their rich muds.

Disturbance to wildlife: Because Copperhouse Pool is a small area supporting such a large volume of birds, the risk of disturbance from people and dogs is also extremely high. A single stray dog can scare away every single bird on this part of the estuary. By taking on the care of Copperhouse Pool alongside RSPB Hayle, we will be better able to manage potential disturbance to the whole of this vital roosting site and raise awareness locally about the potential risks to wildlife.

You can help us protect this special place

To secure the future of Copperhouse Pool we need your help to raise the purchase funds, estimated at £19300, before the auction in February.

There’s already amazing wildlife using and benefiting from the RSPB Hayle nature reserve. With your valued support it would be fantastic if that protection was extended to this neighbouring important area of the estuary, manifesting that same level of protection right across this special site.

We hope that you will consider supporting this purchase and give as much as you feel able.

If we are successful in raising more than the target, the extra funds raised will be spent on the Cornwall reserves. Similarly, if we are unsuccessful at auction, any donations will also go to the Cornwall reserves.

If you would like to discuss donating £500 or more, please contact the RSPB Philanthropy team on philanthropy@rspb.org.uk

Thank you for your vital support.

RSPB Hayle Estuary