THE RSPB in Cornwall has launched an urgent appeal to raise money to buy two hectares of land - the equivalent of five football pitches - next to its Hayle Estuary nature reserve.

A large and varied number of birds rely on Copperhouse Pool, feeding on 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. The pool is also home to otters and over 50 species of fish.

The whole area is legally protected, forming part of the Hayle Estuary and Carrack Gladden Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The charity needs public help to raise the purchase funds, estimated at £19,300, before the auction in February.

“The area we are looking to purchase is one of only three very important high-tide roosts on the whole of the Hayle estuary,” said Jenny Parker, RSPB Cornwall reserves site manager. “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 extremely high. A single stray dog can scare away every single bird on this part of the estuary.

“Taking on the care of Copperhouse Pool alongside RSPB Hayle will enable us to manage potential disturbance to the whole of this vital roosting site.”

Jenny continues: “Rising sea levels in heavily built-up places like Hayle mean precious salt marshes are being lost as there’s little space for them to spread upstream against roads and buildings. Buying this land means we can protect what we currently have for as long as possible.”

Donate at justgiving.com/campaign/copperhouse.