The Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve
Nestled at the northernmost tip of the Isle of Man, the Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve is a remarkable testament to nature’s resilience and renewal. Once a bleak, industrial landscape, this area is being transformed into a thriving refuge for Manx wildlife.
Launched in 2019, this ambitious restoration project is led by Manx BirdLife, in partnership with Island Aggregates and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
Manx BirdLife currently holds a long-term lease on 105 acres of exhausted quarry land, now being reimagined for nature.
A Sanctuary for Wildlife
The reserve is of exceptional importance to birdlife. It hosts 45 of the 48 species on the UK’s Red List and 61 of 68 Amber-listed species.
In summer, birds that have travelled from Africa and beyond take advantage of the diverse wet and dry habitats to breed and raise their young. As the season progresses, birds from across the Isle of Man use the reserve as a safe nursery.
During the winter months, species from across Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland—e ven as far away as Canada—seek refuge here, escaping the harsh conditions of their northern breeding grounds.
But it's not just birds. The reserve also supports an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, from butterflies and dragonflies to fungi, wildflowers, and countless other organisms. Every visit offers a window into the rich tapestry of life that calls this landscape home.
A major milestone was reached in November 2024, when the 200th bird species—a feeding avocet—was recorded at the southern end of the freshwater lagoon.
Looking Ahead
Our partnership with Island Aggregates presents a unique opportunity to shape the future. By advising on restoration strategies for areas yet to be quarried, we can ensure that future landscapes are as welcoming to wildlife as those already restored.
Visiting the Reserve
The Manx BirdLife Point of Ayre National Reserve is open to the public on:
- Wednesdays and Sundays, from 9am until sunset
Please check our website or follow us on social media for updates to opening hours and special event information.
We also welcome pre-arranged group visits for organisations, clubs, and societies. These visits are led by a Manx BirdLife staff member and can be tailored to your group’s interests.
To arrange a visit, please contact us:
- Phone: 01624 861130
- Email: pointofayre@manxbirdlife.im
For details on upcoming events, visit our Events Page.
To give without charges
use your PayPal account
with PayPal's Giving Fund:
To pay by credit/debit card
use 'Donate now':
Please support this important project by donating today before you leave this page
If you have a PaylPal account, you can donate using the PayPal Giving Fund, through which we will receive 100% of your donation. If not, you can donate by credit/debit card using the 'Donate now' button. You can also donate by:
- Sending a cheque payable to Manx BirdLife, 35 New Road, Laxey, Isle of Man IM4 7BG; or
- Making a direct bank transfer to Account name Manx BirdLife, Sort Code 20-26-74, Account no. 40817279.
With your cheque or bank transfer, please state 'Reference' as 'Point of Ayre'.
And please remember, every pound you donate will be worth double to Manx BirdLife thanks to the very generous 'pound-for-pound' match-funding arrangement offered by the Scheinberg Family.
Thank you for whatever support you are able to give.
Reserve webcam
The live image below, coming direct from the reserve, might take a few seconds to render. If it does not display, click on the 'Play' button (►) at the bottom of the frame. Please note:
- During the shorter days of winter, broadcasting hours are constrained due to lack of prolonged sunlight to charge the system's solar panels;
- There is no audio available for reasons of privacy.
We are grateful to Sure IOM, our Telecommunications Partner, for its support of this and other initiatives.
Watch and listen
Above: Watch this two-minute video interview describing the Manx Birdlife-Island Aggregates partnership that is creating the new reserve at the Point of Ayre.
If you'd like to know more about how you can support this
once-in-a-generation opportunity for nature conservation on the Isle of Man,
please call 01624 861130 or email pointofayre@manxbirdlife.im. Thank you.
