Monday 15 September 2014

15th September: Happy 50th Birthday Lindisfarne NNR!

Today marks a very special day for Lindisfarne - on this day in 1964 the Reserve was first designated, formal recognition of the importance of this special area.

The impetus for the commencement of declaration of the site as an NNR was to manage the wildfowling activity.

Over the coming year we will be hosting a series of special events, taking place on the Reserve, to further mark this special occasion: "Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve's 50th Year". Watch this space!

How the causeway looked decades ago (date unknown,  c. late 1960s to 1970s)

Andrew Craggs, Senior Reserve Manager, said: "On the occasion of the NNR's Golden Jubilee we would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers, local people and our many partners at Lindisfarne, for all their practical help, support and hard work in helping us manage the special features of the NNR over the past 50 years.

We are heading towards a busy time of year. Six internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds overwinter here. Light-bellied Brent geese, barnacle geese and pink-footed geese are joined by wigeon, grey plovers and bar-tailed godwits as the other VIPs at this coastal 'hotel', where all their favourite food is laid on!

Natural England, with the continued support of its partners, works hard to manage the special features of the NNR for people to enjoy and experience all year round. Roll on the next 50 years!"

We thought it would be fitting today to show off beautiful photographs, all taken by staff and volunteers, of the special wildlife and habitats that are protected by the NNR's designations.

Mass flight of Wigeon

Barnacle geese dropping in for the winter, with Wigeon in the background

Male eider

Knot


Little egret

Juvenile peregrine

Grey heron

Purple sandpiper


Light-bellied Brent


North Shore with cattle in foreground

Mud casts on the invertebrate-rich mudflats

Cattle grazing on the Reserve last year, they are due to come on again in the next few weeks.


Whoopers at dawn 

Light-bellied Brent geese with the flats and mainland in the background

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