Alan Hersey Nature Reserve facts for kids
The Alan Hersey Nature Reserve is a special place for nature found on the north-east coast of the Isle of Wight. It is located between the villages of Springvale and Seaview. This reserve is a home for many different plants and animals, especially birds.
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What is the Alan Hersey Nature Reserve?
The Alan Hersey Nature Reserve is built on a flat area of land called a flood plain. Fresh water flows into the reserve from a nearby valley. Salt water from the sea also enters the reserve when the tide comes in. This happens through a special tunnel that goes under an old road.
A Unique Watery Home
Because water can only flow out to sea when the tide is low, a mix of fresh and salt water builds up. This creates a unique type of lake called a 'brackish' lake. 'Brackish' means the water is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as sea water. The reserve also has areas of marshland and thick reedbeds. These different water environments make it a perfect home for many kinds of wildlife.
Who Looks After the Reserve?
The Isle of Wight Council helps manage this important nature reserve. They look after about 20 acres (which is about 81,000 square meters) of land. They do this with help from other groups like Natural England and the Environment Agency. Local people also help care for the reserve.
Visiting the Reserve
Some parts of the reserve are open for people to visit. There is even a special building called a bird hide. This is a great place to quietly watch birds without disturbing them. The reserve is well-known for its many wading birds, which are birds that walk in shallow water, and wildfowl, like ducks and geese.
Who Was Alan Hersey?
The reserve is named after a person called Alan Hersey. He was a local councillor who worked for the parish, borough, and county. A councillor is someone elected to represent people in local government. Alan Hersey was very interested in the history and natural environment of Seaview. Naming the reserve after him honors his dedication to the area.
Special Protection for Nature
The Alan Hersey Nature Reserve is a very important natural site. It is recognized as a Ramsar site. A Ramsar site is a wetland area that is important for nature around the world. It is also part of the Ryde Sands and Wootton Creek SSSI. SSSI stands for 'Site of Special Scientific Interest'. This means the area has special plants, animals, or geological features that need to be protected.
