Alan Hersey Nature Reserve

The Alan Hersey Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located on the north east coast of the Isle of Wight between Springvale and Seaview. It is situated on the Seaview Duver an area of low lying land where water draining from a small valley running north between Pondwell and Nettlestone is prevented from entering the sea by a tidal gate and a drain that passes under a toll road and down the beach. Hence it can only drain into the sea at low tide. As a result a lake has formed inland along with marshland and reedbeds.

The IOW Council has acquired 20 acres of the site on a 50 year lease and along with Natural England, the Environment Agency and local residents, developed the area for public access. There is a hide for bird watching and the reserve is noted for its wadding birds and wildfowl.Alan Hersey background-Lived on the Isle Of Wight for a large majority of his life. Lived in Nettlestone for the whole duration of that time. Was a key member of the local postal force. He became head of the Isle of wight counsil, and came up with the idea of each town having its own Christmas tree, which is traditionally displayed on the village green.India Burr-Hersey is now a living descendant who intends to follow in the footsteps of his nature full life.

The reserve is named after a former Parish, Borough and County Councillor. The site is a Ramsar site and forms part of the Ryde Sands and Wootton Creek SSSI.

External links

* [http://www.coastalwight.gov.uk/coastaldefenceschemes.htm#seaview Isle of Wight Council entry]