Blackwater Islands

The Blackwater Islands are a group of islands in the Blackwater estuary, Essex, United Kingdom, they consist of Settlement Island, Southey Island, Ealew Island, Attenborough Island, Great Albert Island, Hithersea Island, Iolo's Point, Littlesea Island and Westree Island. The islands are situated outside of creeks across the estuary, such as Steeple Creek and Cooper's Creek, thus making lots of the islands tidal islands, islands that often disappear beneath the water, usually for no more than a few hours.

Background

Oystercatchers, a breed of bird that are often present in creeks, migrate to islands like Attenborough due to their seclusion from human life and peaceful nature. Up to 50 birds can be on one island at once. No humans have ever resided on the islands. Which is mostly due to the size, condition and wildlife they possess.

Wildlife

As well as oystercatchers, many other birds inhabit/migrate to the islands. Dunlins, black-tailed godwits and redshanks are all known to settle near or on the islands. Among others, oystercatchers enjoy feasting on shellfish.

Sea Level Rise

Unfortunately, the Blackwater Islands, like many coastal areas, have a massive risk of flooding and loss of land, in a 1998 study of Essex estuaries, between 1973 and 1998 the Blackwater estuary has lost 22.3% of its saltmarsh land. So the rise of sea levels could be absolutely catastrophic for the islands because of their saltmarsh-like terrain & collectively, their metres below sea level, the lowest being 2 metres on some islands, and the highest being 5 metres, on Settlement Island.