Gull Island (Hampshire) facts for kids
Looking SE towards Gull Island with the Isle of Wight in the background
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 Gull Island
Location in Hampshire
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| Geography | |
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| Location | The Solent |
| Coordinates | 50°46′48″N 1°23′02″W / 50.780°N 1.384°W |
| Length | 1.0 km (0.62 mi) |
| Width | 0.2 km (0.12 mi) |
| Administration | |
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England
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| County | Hampshire |
| District | New Forest |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
Gull Island is a small, empty island located at the mouth of the Beaulieu River in The Solent. The Solent is a strait of water in southern England.
This island is a raised area of land. It is about 1,000 metres long and up to 180 metres wide. Gull Island sits among the sandy areas that appear at low tide. It helps separate the Beaulieu River from the sea before the river flows into The Solent. The island is part of the Beaulieu area.
Contents
What is Gull Island?
Gull Island is a quiet, uninhabited place. It acts like a natural shield for the last part of the Beaulieu River. This means it protects the river from strong currents, especially those coming from the east. Because of this protection, the northern side of the island is a safe spot for boats to anchor.
Salt Marshes and New Land
Gull Island is mostly made up of salt marshes. These are coastal wetlands that are flooded by tides. They are very important for nature.
Interestingly, Gull Island is a fairly new part of the landscape. It does not appear on maps from the 1800s. This shows how coastlines can change over time.
Protecting the Island
In 1985, people wanted to protect the important salt marshes. These marshes are found on the northern side of the Beaulieu River. The Beaulieu estate, which owns much of the land, asked for permission to build something new.
They wanted to build a barrier made of shingle, which is small, smooth stones. This barrier would connect the western part of Gull Island to the mainland. It would join at a place called Warren Farm Spit.
The Causeway Project
Building this barrier would close off a channel called the "Bull Run." This channel was previously used by yachts. By 1992, this artificial pathway, or causeway, was finished. It stretched along the southern end of Gull Island.
Even with the causeway, the island is still changing. Erosion, which is when land slowly wears away, continues to affect Gull Island. Over time, this erosion will likely remove all of the island's salt marshes.
A Home for Wildlife
Today, Gull Island is a special place for nature. It serves as a nature reserve. This means it is protected to help wildlife thrive. It is also a bird sanctuary. Many different kinds of birds find a safe home here.
Images for kids
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Looking across the short Exbury River and larger Beaulieu River to Gull Island, with the Isle of Wight in the background
