RSPB installs information panel in Shoreham to raise awareness of ‘very special place’

The RSPB Adur Estuary Nature Reserve is a little gem in the heart of Shoreham but many residents and visitors have no idea it even exists.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

All that will hopefully change with the installation of a new interpretation panel at Coronation Green, overlooking the reserve, where saltmarsh meets mudflats, making the perfect feeding and roosting site for waders and wildfowl.

The reserve, which is also part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), is managed by staff at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, with the help of a team of four volunteer wardens who live in Shoreham.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jenny Holter, an RSPB volunteer warden and member of Shoreham District Ornithological Society, said: “Many residents of Shoreham are unaware that there is an RSPB nature reserve in their midst.

RSPB volunteer warden Tony Benton on Coronation Green in Shoreham by the new RSPB Adur Estuary Nature Reserve interpretation panelRSPB volunteer warden Tony Benton on Coronation Green in Shoreham by the new RSPB Adur Estuary Nature Reserve interpretation panel
RSPB volunteer warden Tony Benton on Coronation Green in Shoreham by the new RSPB Adur Estuary Nature Reserve interpretation panel

“The Adur Estuary reserve is a little gem located in front of the houseboats and has a good variety of water birds present across the year, which can be easily seen from a variety of viewpoints around the town. Star species include redshank, oystercatcher and kingfisher.

“We have been working hard to raise awareness of the wildlife on the reserve, collaborating with Shoreham District Ornithological Society on a variety of projects.

“To support this work, a new interpretation panel has been installed at Coronation Green, providing information about the reserve and highlighting the key species that can be seen.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The board explains Adur Estuary is a very special place and the saltmarsh and mudflats are important for birds all year round.

Winter is a tough for shorebirds and the reserve provides vital refuge where they can rest and feed undisturbed, as they try to conserve as much energy as possible.

In autumn and winter look for wading birds, including teal, redshank, snipe and lapwing. Curfew and greenshank are sometimes seen, while grey plover and knot are possible.

Regulars throughout the year include oystercatcher, little egret, cormorant and grey heron.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In spring and summer, you might see sandwich terns driving for fish and lapwing on the saltmarsh.

The information board, located just off High Street, near Adur Ferry Bridge, includes a map showing the extent of the nature reserve and suggested vantage points for the best views.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk for more information.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics: