Blakeney has long been recognised as an important area for its wide range of coastal plant habitats and wildlife.
The vast areas of rare habitats, such as pristeen saltmarsh, vegetated shingle and sand dunes, attracts a colourful array of wildlife from sea-birds to seals.
© UCL
Blakeney Point
Blakeney Point was the first nature reserve in Norfolk. It was bought via public appeal in 1912 by Charles Rothschild, a banker and entomologist (someone who studies insects). It was handed to the National Trust the same year.
© John Peake |
This was thanks
to Professor
Francis Oliver,
a professor of
botany from the
University
College London,
who recognised
the need to
protect Blakeney's
unique habitats
and wildlife. |
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The Lifeboat House
The Lifeboat House was built in 1898 to replace the Old Lifeboat House next door. However, it only functioned for a few years before the shingle built up so much in front of it, that launching a boat became too difficult. It was converted into living accommodation following World War One.
The University College London has owned the Old Lifeboat House since 1910 and it is still used today for field studies. Blakeney Point is an ideal location for studying the different coastal habitats of shingle ridge, salt marsh and sand dune.
© UCL
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The Watchers
The first wardens were known as 'watchers'. Their job was to protect the reserve and its birds. The first records of terns breeding on Blakeney Point date back to the early 1800s and it became famous for rare birds in the 1880s.
© UCL |
Ted Eales (pictured left) was a warden on Blakeney Point throughout the 60s and 70s. In many ways the job of the wardens today remain very similar to that of the past. |
History of Blakeney's birds
Blakeney Point hasn't always been a safe haven for birds. At the start of the 19th century people, known as 'gunners' or 'gentlemen collectors', began hunting birds for specimens.
It wasn't until 1901 that Blakeney Point was formally accredited as a bird sanctuary. Bob Pinchen, former gunner himself, became the Point's first Watcher.
© Gary K Smith |
Since then the birds' fortunes have prospered and Blakeny Point is now a popular place with bird-watchers. Go to our Blakeney Birds page to find out which birds you can spot here. |
Further reading: download an extract about Blakeney Point's ornithological history (PDF/70.4KB), taken from Stoddart, A and Joyner, S (2005) 'The Birds of Blakeney Point', Wren Publishing, Sheringham (p.19-31).
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