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Wallasea Island Transformed into Thriving Bird Sanctuary

11/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Wallasea Island in Essex has become a 740-hectare sanctuary managed by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
A decade after the Crossrail project, more than three million tonnes of soil were used.
Last winter nearly 39,000 birds were recorded, including 800 avocets and over 10,000 knot.
The project removed seawalls and let the sea flow back after 400 years, creating wetlands.
Site manager Rachel Fancy noted the transformation.

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Story summary

Wallasea Island in Essex has become a 740-hectare sanctuary managed by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
A decade after the Crossrail project, more than three million tonnes of soil were used.
Last winter nearly 39,000 birds were recorded, including 800 avocets and over 10,000 knot.
The project removed seawalls and let the sea flow back after 400 years, creating wetlands.
Site manager Rachel Fancy noted the transformation.