The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust has received major financial contributions from two UK bird clubs, taking them within reach of their £75,000 fundraising target.
The Isles of Scilly Bird Group and the West Midland Bird Club, who have contributed £10,000 and £5,000 respectively, have provided a fifth of the total amount required to carry out vital habitat and accessibility works at Higher Moors. These generous donations have been supported by a public appeal that aims to raise £7,500, private donations and Access-for-All and FiPL funding from Defra through the Isles of Scilly National Landscape Partnership.
The Wildlife Trust, which looks after around 45% of the archipelago’s land area at high tide, is fundraising to provide an expanded replacement for the famous Stephen Sussex hide at Porth Hellick Pool, St Mary’s. This is coupled with habitat enhancements to the pool and improving access-for-all through the site. The Wildlife Trust is still appealing for funds from the public to help complete the project.
If you can help the Wildlife Trust reached their public target of £7,500, please visit
ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk/appeals/higher-moors-nature-all
This site is iconic in British birding, with the pool having hosted the country’s first Tree Swallow (1990), a Little Crake (2003), a Belted Kingfisher (2018), plus a selection of other rare hirundines, rails, waders, herons and more. It’s also an enchanting spot to sit and take in the atmosphere of the islands, or to get freezing cold whilst waiting for a putative Wilson’s Snipe to raise its wings.
The existing Stephen Sussex hide has been in place for 30 years. The replacement hide will be bigger, wheelchair-accessible, and have a viewing screen adjacent. Habitat work planned for 2025 includes pool margin reworking in front of the hide. The hide will continue to be named after young birder Stephen Sussex and will recognise the support from Isles of Scilly Bird Group and West Midland Bird Club.
Julian Branscombe, CEO of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, says: “We’ll be thrilled if we can improve access to let more people enjoy the wealth of wildlife at Higher Moors, whilst encouraging more waders on the pool in front of the new Stephen Sussex hide. I’ve only been in Scilly three years and my lifers from the hide already include Wilson’s Snipe and Cliff Swallow.”
Will Wagstaff, Chair of Isles of Scilly Bird Group, says: “Porth Hellick is one of Scilly’s premiere birding locations, so the opportunity to contribute to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust project for a new hide as well as improving the habitat of the area for birdlife was not one to be missed. It will benefit the wildlife as well as making it much better for those wanting to see what this amazing area attracts each year.”
Richard Stonier, Deputy Club Chairperson of West Midland Bird Club, says: “The WMBC is one of the largest and oldest regional bird clubs and many of our members are regulars to Scilly. For some time, the club has supported bird observatories and key birding spots around the UK as part of its ‘Beyond our Borders’ vision. We have helped Fair Isle rebuild its observatory, Bardsey host young birders and now this project with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. Our members cannot wait to visit the new hide and see the benefits of the habitat improvement works.”
The Wildlife Trust looks after most of the wildlife-rich land on the islands, so needs all the help they can get to keep Scilly special. When considering the total land in their care compared to jurisdiction, they are by far the most ambitious wildlife charity in the UK.