23/10/2026
Exciting times for Wallasea Island!
With the RSPB’s newly acquired land surrounding Grapnells, we’re right in the middle of this wonderful project.
We feel very lucky to call this special place home and share it with our guests. We can’t wait to see the plans take shape and watch even more wildlife thrive on our doorstep! 💚
There are exciting changes afoot at RSPB Wallasea Island 👣
In January 2025 RSPB Wallasea Island acquired a substantial amount of land next to the reserve, thanks to a generous donation from the Ida Davis Foundation. The vision for this newly acquired land included a new 6-hectare freshwater lagoon, the reserve’s first body of freshwater, fed from the adjacent fields where fresh water currently goes out to sea. 🌊
The lagoon is currently in planning stages, with the aim to begin construction in 2027. Funding will be provided through Transforming the Thames, an ambitious Zoological Society of London (ZSL) led partnership bringing together 20 organisations to restore coastal habitats across the Greater Thames Estuary. The partnership has a shared vision: of a restored, reconnected and resilient Thames Estuary, supporting thriving wildlife and local communities.
Wildlife supported by the freshwater lagoon will include -
🟢 breeding wading birds and their chicks, such as Lapwing, Avocet and Redshank
🟢 birds passing through on migration
🟢 species that spend winter on our shores, like Teals, Shovelers and Wigeons
🐮Further works at the reserve include a newly installed grid will cross the main reserve access track, allowing the reserve's resident herd of cows to roam freely without straying into areas they shouldn’t. The herd are tracked by their NoFence collars, allowing the staff to keep an eye on their movements within the reserve. Cattle naturally create different length grasses across the fields they graze on, since different cattle have different preferences on where they like to eat – just like us! These different length grassy areas, or swards, help ensure a variety of plant species and wildlife – for example, clover thrives where the grass is shorter, but some butterflies, such as the Meadow Brown, like the longer rougher grasses.
Drop photos of wildlife you’ve spotted at RSPB Wallasea Island into the comments below 👇
🔻Transforming the Thames is supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in partnership with Arcadia.
🔻Funding for the cattle is provided by Enovert Community Trust, through the Landfill Communities Fund.
📸 Ben Andrew / RSPB Images
