Otter Island (Poole)
 On-island perspective of Otter Island, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel of water | |
Interactive map of Otter Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour, Dorset |
| Coordinates | 50°43′28″N 2°02′43″W / 50.7245°N 2.0454°W |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Additional information | |
| Local authority – Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; No public access | |
Otter Island is an uninhabited islet located within Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour, in Dorset, England, where Rock Lea River flows into the harbour.[1] It consists of saltmarsh and reeds, and is separated from the mainland only by shallow water.[2][3]
The island is privately owned with no public access.
Ecology
Though small in size, Otter Island has come to act as a vital ecological marker within the Lytchett Bay nature reserves. The Birds of Poole Harbour charity often utilizes the island as a geographical marker for monitoring bird activity.[4] White-tailed eagles, Marsh harriers, Eurasian bitterns and Black-headed gulls can be observed on the island.[4][5][6][3]
The island is in Unit 27 ("Lychett Bay West") of the Poole Harbour SSSI.[7][8] In 2020, the biological condition of the unit was "Favourable" but by 2020 had declined to "Unfavourable – Declining". This was attributed to the impact of an elevated level of nitrogen enrichment, with effects including the excess growth of algae and reductions in eelgrass/seawrack (Zostera marina), dwarf eelgrass (Zostera noltii) and – previously abundant – beaked tasselweed (Ruppia maritima[9]). The extent of salt marsh and, with the exception of shelduck, the abundance of bird life, was more stable, though the saltmarsh was suffering from increased reed growth.[8]
Access
Whereas earlier landowners allowed the public access to the area's mudflats and channels, there is now no public access to the island. There was a proposal for establishing a public Right of Way to Otter Island in a 2009 legal application, but it was dismissed. Consequently, the islet cannot legally be accessed by the public and can only be approached via private vessels.[2]
See also
References
- ↑ "Location Map". Streetmap. Archived from the original on 2019-07-21. Retrieved 2026-05-23.
- 1 2 "Islands of Poole Harbour". Round the Island. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- 1 2 Lytchett Bay Birds and Wildlife Report 2023 (PDF) (Report). Birds of Poole Harbour. 30 December 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Harbour Update - 11/10/22". Birds of Poole Harbour. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Harbour Update - 23/01/20". Birds of Poole Harbour. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Lytchett Bay Bird Report 2013 (PDF) (Report). Birds of Poole Harbour. 10 December 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Poole Harbour Unit Map (1 of 9)" (PDF). DEFRA. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Lychett Bay West (027)". Natural England. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ "Beaked tasselweed (Ruppia maritima)". Marine Biological Association. Retrieved 23 May 2026.