There is a desperate bid to save it for the animals – and us
Copperhouse Pool in Hayle is being auctioned off in February 2026 – the RSPB is looking to buy one of the lots for 2 acres(Image: Terry Newing)
A wildlife haven famous for its otters and over-wintering and migrating birds is being sold up at auction.
Almost 15 acres (six hectares) of land at Copperhouse Pool on the Hayle estuary is to be sold off in several lots next month.
The land, made up of grassland and salt marshes, is contained within the Hayle Estuary and Carrack Gladden Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and provide a rich haven for over-wintering and migrating waders and wild fowl.
The Angarrack River flows through it. The land is accessed from the ‘Black Road’ and ‘Black Bridge’, which lies to the south-western boundary, and which is also a public footpath.
Black Road joins the King George Memorial walk at the northern section and to the southern section meets the Home Bargains store and Recreation Ground.
The Black Bridge is a Grade II Listed structure, which was a road bridge constructed of the local Scoria blocks (smelter waste) by the Cornish Copper Company and dates back from the 19th century.
Canada Geese at Copperhouse Pool in Hayle(Image: Kevin Bowers)
One of the lots is at King George Memorial walk and include parking spaces and 0.69 hectares (1.72 acres) of wetland. Another lot – the largest one – is for 11.62 acres of marshland at Copperhouse Pool.
The RSPB in Cornwall is aiming to buy two plots of land for 1.57 hectares (3.88 acres) which is as big as five football pitches – right next to its Hayle Estuary nature reserve as well as the lot at King George Memorial walk.
It has now launched an urgent appeal to raise money to buy it ahead of the auction in February.
The RSPB said Copperhouse Pool is important for a large and varied number of birds which rely on the site, feeding on the crustaceans and other invertebrates in the tidal muds and salt marshes and using part of it as roosting spot at high tide.
These include threatened species such as Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit as well as Oystercatchers and Spoonbills, all of which are popular with local people. The pool is also home to otters and over 50 species of fish.
A curlew at Hayle estuary (Image: © 2020 Terry Newing)
The whole area is legally protected, forming part of the Hayle Estuary and Carrack Gladden Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Jenny Parker, RSPB Cornwall reserves site manager, said: “The new area we are looking to purchase, combined with part of our existing RSPB Hayle nature reserve, is one of only three very important high tide roosts on the whole of the Hayle estuary.
“When the tide is high, many of the wading and water birds on the estuary are squeezed up into this tiny piece of salt marsh.
“Because Copperhouse Pool is a small area supporting such a large volume of birds, the risk of disturbance from people and dogs is also extremely high.
“A single stray dog can scare away every single bird on this part of the estuary. By taking on the care of Copperhouse Pool alongside RSPB Hayle, we will be better able to manage potential disturbance to the whole of this vital roosting site and raise awareness locally about the potential risks to wildlife.”
The RSPB has now launched a JustGiving fundraising appeal to raise the purchase funds, estimated at £19,300. Ms Parker said the purchase will also help deal with some of the consequences of sea-level rise due to climate change.
Black tailed Godwit at Copperhouse Pool in Hayle (Image: Kevin Bowers )
She added: “Rising sea levels in heavily built-up places like Hayle mean that precious salt marshes are being lost as there’s little space for them to spread upstream against roads and buildings. Buying this land means that we can protect what we currently have for as long as possible. These marshes are not only important for birds, but also for storing carbon in their rich muds.”
“There’s already amazing wildlife using and benefiting from the RSPB Hayle nature reserve, it would be fantastic if that protection was extended to this neighbouring important area of the estuary, manifesting that same level of protection right across this special site.”
To help the RSPB purchase the land visit justgiving.com/campaign/copperhouse
The auction closing date is Friday February 6 at 12 noon.
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