North Binness Island facts for kids
North Binness Island is a special island located in Langstone Harbour. It's about 900 metres (984 yards) long and up to 250 metres (273 yards) wide. The island is quite low, rising only 2.5 metres (8 feet) above sea level. Even though it's been empty of people recently, it has a long and interesting history.
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Discovering North Binness Island
North Binness Island was once part of a much larger area called Binner's Island. This larger land also included a big part of Farlington Marshes. Today, North Binness Island is a quiet place, but it holds many secrets from the past.
A Glimpse into History
People have lived on or visited North Binness Island for thousands of years! Archaeologists, who study old things, have found amazing clues.
Ancient Life on the Island
Evidence shows that people were here during the Bronze Age. They even found signs of a salt works from that time. This means people were making salt on the island long ago. The Roman period also left its mark, showing more people lived or worked here. Even older finds date back to the Mesolithic period. This was before Langstone Harbour even existed, and the island was part of a different landscape.
Later Discoveries
Later, in the 18th century, someone built a long earthwork on the island. This is a kind of raised bank of earth, about 100 metres (109 yards) long. We don't know exactly why it was built, but it's another piece of the island's long story.
Nature's Home
The island's natural features have changed over time. It used to have a pond, but now that area is filled with mud. The plants growing on the island are mostly special grasses that can handle salty water. You can also spot a few trees here and there.
A Safe Place for Birds
In 1978, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) bought North Binness Island. They also bought the other islands in Langstone Harbour. The RSPB turned these islands into a safe place for birds. It's now a bird sanctuary, which means it's a protected home where birds can live and raise their young without being disturbed. Because it's a sanctuary, people are not allowed to land on the island without permission. This helps keep the birds safe and happy in their natural habitat.
