 The RSPB reserve is on the Humber flood plain. |
A tidal surge that flooded a nature reserve on the Humber was good news for local wildlife, according to experts. Blacktoft Sands had to be closed for several days in January after one of the biggest surges for 20 years.
Wardens from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have been examining the damage.
They have concluded that the extra water brought onto the site will benefit rare species such as bittern, bearded tit and marsh harrier.
Ecology of area
Although parts of the reserve, eight miles east of Goole, were submerged under at least a foot of water, the RSPB says there was no long-term damage to the site.
"Water is the lifeblood of a wetland site like Blacktoft Sands and tidal surges of this kind are actually beneficial to ecology of the area," said warden Pete Short.
"They bring in more water onto the reserve and refresh our important wildlife habitats."
Blacktoft is a site of special scientific interest and around 270 species of bird have been recorded there.
Last year, a pair of rare bitterns nested on the reserve for the first time.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
