Bid to make boating lake a winter bird haven

Plans to make a boating lake in a seaside park in the north of the Isle of Man a haven for wild birds in the winter have already shown signs of success, a conservationist behind the project has said.

The Mooragh Lake, in Ramsey, is drained each year to allow maintenance and litter clearance works.

That process sees seawater flow in and out through the sluice gate with the natural flow of the tide, something that will be extended this year in a trial.

The Manx Wildlife Trust said the shallow water and exposed muddy areas provided a "rich feeding habitat for birds", which had already seen several species recorded.

Built in 1881, the 12-acre (4.9-hectare) boating lake is the feature of the northern park, which is owned by Ramsey Commissioners currently leased to the firm Mooragh Lake Water Sports.

The conservation trial represents a collaboration between the leaseholders and the trust, to assess the potential for a haven for winter birds while still maintaining the lake as a leisure facility for the people of the town.

The lake usually stays in its drained state between early January and mid-February – but that will be extended for the 2026 season, with the refilling process set to be carried out in time for Easter instead.

The trial will see the birds moving into the area noted to assess the growth in its popularity as a habitat during the colder months.

Birds already logged visiting the lake to feed have been oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover, little egret, herring gull and black-headed gull feeding in the lake, which are all species whose numbers are of concern to conservationists.

David Bellamy of the trust, said it had been "encouraging" to see "just how quickly birds have responded" to the change in conditions.

He said the highest single species count recorded so far had been 130 oystercatchers - a red list species.

"Within hours of the water level being lowered, we were already seeing impressive numbers of waders and gulls feeding on the newly exposed muddy areas," he said.

The study had already demonstrated how important "muddy habitats are for birds in winter", and "how small, well-timed changes can make a real difference for wildlife" without impinging on people's enjoyment of the park, he added.

Few areas of shallow water and intertidal mud – which the trust said were among the most productive feeding habitats for waders and other waterbirds – exist around the island's coast.

Although coastal sites such as Derbyhaven Bay, Cornaa and some working harbours still offer the habitats, similar conditions in Douglas, Ramsey and Peel have been lost to developments.

Should the results of the trial show clear benefits, an ongoing scheme could be put in place as part of Ramsey Commissioners' Mooragh Park Master Plan.

Ramsey Commissioner Juan McGuinness said the trial was "straightforward" and designed to "gather evidence before any longer-term decisions are taken".

As the lake was drained annually, "gather evidence before any longer term decisions are taken", he added.

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