What a superb gesture! Retired dental surgeon foots bill for new bird observation hide at RSPB wildlife reserve

 

Joy (at foot of  steps) outside the new hide with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust president Prof Sir John Lawton (top of stairs) and other project supporters

HATS off to a retired  dentist who has funded construction of a new observation hide  at an RSPB bird reserve.

Joy Croot came to the rescue when, after some three decades, the  existing Xerox hide at Blacktoft Sands, in Yorkshire, came to the end of its useful life.

The new ‘Reedling Hide’has been named such by Joy because  one of her favourite birds is the reedling, also known as the bearded tit.

It was officially opened last Friday morning.

Joy has lived in Healing, near Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, with her husband, John, also a retired dentist, for 25 years.

She been attending RSPB Blacktoft Sands as a volunteer warden since retiring, in 2018, from dental surgery in Cleethorpes and lecturing part-time at Sheffield University.

Many birders will have met her when they came calling to glimpse a white-tailed lapwing that put in a longstaying appearance in autumn 2021.

                                                 

The reserve's famous white-tailed lapwing 

"I have been going birdwatching at Blacktoft for as many years as I can remember,"says Joy. "It’s a beautiful reserve and so peaceful, with superb birds and very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

"There’s always something to see - not least a dozen pairs of marsh harriers in spring and summer. 

"I have learned so much here and just wanted to give something back.

"The RSPB team here, particularly reserve manger Pete Short, has done the hard graft while specialist Garthorpe-based hide manufacturers Gilleard have done a similarly great job."

Reedling Hide stands higher than the  one it replaced and offers spectacular unrestricted views across the reserve.

Says RSPB philanthropy manager Sarah Standing, said: "It has  been such a pleasure to keep in touch with Joy and see the hide project come to fruition thanks to her decision to support the RSPB in this special way."

The new dual-level hide was designed with accessibility in mind, so everyone can enjoy the sights and scenery.

The building features an accessible lower deck served by two doors, allowing easy access for people with reduced mobility, and has the potential for a ‘pandemic-proof’ one-way system. 

A stairway leads to the upper floor with a viewing gallery which runs the whole length of the structure.

RSPB community engagement officer, Darren Johnson, comments: "We want people to access nature, and this new hide helps us achieve that."

The new hide is expected to last for 30 years but work to maintain the hides and improve Blacktoft Sands for visitors does not stop. 

The RSPB has a five-year plan for the other hides at the reserve which hosts a wide variety of wetland birds, including marsh harrier, bittern, reedling (of course!) and avocet.    

Preparing to cut the ribbon - Joy with the president of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Prof Sir John Lawton, who did the honours