North Binness Island

North Binness Island at high tide in July 2005

North Binness Island is an island in Langstone Harbour^[1] It is 900 metres (980 yd) long and up to 250 metres (270 yd) wide but only rises to 2.5 metres (8 ft) above Ordnance Datum^[2] The island was originally (along with a large part of Farlington Marshes) part of Binner's Island.^[3] The island has been uninhabited in recent times but there is evidence of historical occupation. A 100-metre (110 yd) long earthwork on the island has been suggested to date from the 18th century^[2]. There is also archaeological evidence that suggests the island was occupied during the bronze age and the Roman period^[2]. Finds from the bronze age include evidence of a salt works.^[4] The Island and has also produced finds dating back to the Mesolithic period prior to the formation of Langstone Harbour and the island.^[4]

The island was formerly home to a pond which is now filled with mud.^[2]Plants on the island consist of salt-water grasses and a few trees.^[2]

In 1978 the island along with the other islands in Langstone harbour was acquired by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who turned it into a bird sanctuary.^[5] Since that time unauthorised landings have been forbidden.^[5]

References

1. ^ "Havant Borough Townscape, Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment February 2007" (PDF). Havant Borough Council. http://www.havant.gov.uk/PDF/LCASection5Hayling29to34.pdf. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Adam, Neil J; Momber, Gary (2000). "North Binness Island". In Allen, Michael J; Gardiner, Julie. Our Changing Coast a survey of the intertidal archaeology of Langstone Harbour Hampshire. York: Council for British Archaeology. pp. 91–97. ISBN 1902771141. 
3. ^ Fontana, Val; Fontana, Dominic (2000). "A brief historical survey". In Allen, Michael J; Gardiner, Julie. Our Changing Coast a survey of the intertidal archaeology of Langstone Harbour Hampshire. York: Council for British Archaeology. p. 82. ISBN 1902771141. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Young, Andrew; Trevarthen, Emma (2008). "The Aggregate Landscape of Hampshire Assessment of the Archaeological Resource" (PDF). Cornwall County Council. pp. 127–128. http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-880-1/dissemination/pdf/Hampshire_report.pdf. Retrieved 15 March 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Tweed, Ronald (2000). A History of Langstone Harbour and its environs in the County of Hampshire. Dido Publications. pp. 159–160. ISBN 0953331210. 

Coordinates: 50°50′14″N 1°01′05″W / 50.837246°N 1.01793°W / 50.837246; -1.01793