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The central lagoon at the embryonic Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve. Photo by Neil G. Morris.
The Point of Ayre
Working in partnership for Manx nature and the community
In the first project of its kind in the Isle of Man, nature conservation charity Manx BirdLife is leading a partnership of Island Aggregates, the Isle of Man Government and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to create a very special place for nature and people. Genesis of a new nature reserve
The Point of Ayre headland lies at the northernmost tip of the Isle of Man’s glacial Northern Plain. Here, Island Aggregates (a Northstone Company) is quarrying for minerals to meet the Manx nation’s demand for construction resources.
In 2019, Island Aggregates leased 105 acres of finished quarry to Manx BirdLife. As further compartments are exhausted of their commercial product, these will be added to the leaseholding. Ultimately, the goal is to restore for nature an area in excess of
92
400 acres – representing a huge gain for wildlife in this small Island territory. The project is an opportunity to redress the loss of valuable wetland habitat across the Island. Moreover, the remaining wetlands on the Island are typically formed of either acidic peat water or fed by overly nutrified agricultural run-off. In contrast, the water that now fills the impressive pits left by quarrying is a combination of clean rainwater and both upland and lowland water that has percolated underground through the porous glacial substrate and been stripped of its acidity and nutrients.
This makes for a unique wetland ecosystem on the Island – supporting an unrivalled assemblage of native Manx species as well as naturally-arriving novel species attracted to this new habitat. It’s a win-win for biodiversity.
Nature restoration strategy The restoration strategy is simple: optimise conditions for nature first, and then share the benefits with Island residents and visitors.
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, family trusts, the Island community, RSPB members and the support of the Manx Government,
MPANI 2022 | 2023
