hare on havergate island

After the devastation caused by December’s surge tide there’s some exciting news from Suffolk’s only island.  The famous hares on RSPB Havergate Island nature reserve, off Orford, have bred successfully, with at least two leverets seen on a recent trip to the island.

RSPB Warden Lyndsey Record, said: “Havergate’s hares were well known for their unusual tolerance to people , but sadly the population was hit hard by the surge tide with as few as ten hares surviving. We’ve left them in peace this spring, this has allowed them to successfully rear the next generation, giving us hope that the population will bounce back.”

Havergate wardens had also feared the worst for some of the island’s special insects as it was feared that the eggs, larvae and adults of many grassland species would not survive the deep prolonged saltwater flooding.

Lyndsey continued: “To our surprise it looks like a good year for the ground lackey moth, whose caterpillars have been numerous this summer, although as a saltmarsh species they are more able to cope with being submerged than many other insects. There’s been a surprisingly good number of grassland butterflies this year too.”

It’s also been a good year for some of the island’s breeding birds too, with common and black-headed gulls, common terns and avocets all more numerous than in recent years.

Access to Havergate is limited for most of the year, to the first Saturday of the month, but this summer the RSPB is inviting visitors to enjoy this unique location on several special event weekends.

Visitors can ‘See the Spoonbills’ on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August, with boats departing Orford Quay at 9 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 1 pm both days. Tickets cost £19 per person or £12 for RSPB members and must be booked in advance by calling RSPB Minsmere on 01728 648281.

Timings, pricings and booking arrangements are the same for a trip to the ‘Island of Avocets’ on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2104.

The annual ‘Havergate Adventure,’ run by the Woodbridge RSPB local group, takes place on Saturday 16 to Sunday 18 August 2014. Boats depart hourly from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and include a two hour guided walk. Refreshments will be available on the island on this event only. Tickets cost £11 or £3 for under 16s. Booking is via Minsmere on 01728 648281.

 

Notes:

  1. Havergate Island has been managed by the RSPB since 1948. The island is a mix of saline lagoons, saltmarsh and shingle located in the Alde-Ore estuary.
  2. Access to Havergate is only via the RSPB boat, October Storm, which departs Orford  Quay at 10 am on the first Saturday of each month and on selected event weekends. Places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance by phoning the RSPB Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648281. Visitor facilities include three birdwatching hides, a toilet and boardwalks.
  3. Full details about Havergate Island, including visiting arrangements, events and recent news can be seen at www.rspb.org.uk/havergateisland. You can also like RSPB Suffolk on Facebook or follow @RSPB_S_Suffolk on Twitter for recent news.

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