Former Cleethorpes dental surgeon foots bill for new bird observation hide at RSPB wildlife reserve

Joy (at foot of steps) with birders outside the new RSPB observation hide

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

Joy Croot came to the rescue when, after some three decades, an  existing hide at Blacktoft Sands, near Goole, came to the end of its useful life.

The new hide will be known as ‘Reedling Hide’, a name chosen 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 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.

"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 has done the hard graft and specialist Garthorpe-based hide manufacturers Gilleard have done a 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, and enthral hundreds of thousands of visitors in that time, but work to maintain the hides and improve Blacktoft Sands for visitors doesn’t stop. The RSPB has a five-year plan for the other hides at the nature reserve.

RSPB Blacktoft Sands hosts a wide variety of wetland birds, including marsh harrier, bittern, bearded tit, and avocet.

Its most spectacular rarity of recent years was a white-tailed lapwing in autumn 2021.

                                    

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