The acquisition comprises more than sixty acres which will be managed in perpetuity for the benefit of nature.

The Langness Peninsula is one of the Isle of Man’s most important areas for breeding, migrating and wintering birds. Its valuable coastal habitats are protected through legal designations such as Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) status and recognised internationally as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

For many wild bird species, the Langness Peninsula is the only site on the Island offering meaningful coastal habitat at a significant scale, including: coastal grassland, intertidal mudflat, saltmarsh, tidal and non-tidal rock, sand and shingle shore, as well as shallow and deep-water marine environments.

The acquisition represents a vital step forward for nature conservation in the Isle of Man. Manx BirdLife now manages land for nature at both the most northerly and most southerly points of the Island, offering the prospect of long-term protection and optimal management of two of the most ecologically significant areas on the Island for wild birds.

Manx BirdLife will manage the Langness site in perpetuity, ensuring it remains a sanctuary for nature alongside the neighbouring Castletown Golf Links which is managed with nature conservation in mind. The charity’s long-term aspiration is for Langness to be exemplar as a site where the interests of nature and people are managed for their mutual benefit.

Birds commonly observed on the Peninsula include Little Egret, Grey Plover, Knot, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, both Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, and Sandwich Tern. Notably, Langness is the only site on the Island where the globally-rare Pale-bellied Brent Goose, which nests in the Canadian High Arctic, can be seen during the winter months. Other notable species of conservation concern to be found in the area include Golden Plover, Teal and Short-eared Owl, with rare sightings such as Temminck’s Stint, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher and Calandra Lark.

Beyond its ecological importance, Langness holds cultural significance, featuring historic landmarks such as the Herring Tower, remains of the Langness copper mines and the double-walled Powder House once used for dynamite storage.

“We are incredibly grateful to Langness Golf Course Ltd and Nature Vannin Ltd for their generous support in enabling this pivotal moment in our nature conservation efforts,” said Allison Leonard, Managing Director at Manx BirdLife. “This acquisition will help us ensure that Langness remains a haven for wildlife, supporting not only birds but a wide range of native fauna and flora for generations to come.”

“Castletown Golf Links and Nature Vannin are excited to partner with Manx BirdLife to further enhance the Langness Peninsula for the future enjoyment and wellbeing of Isle of Man residents and visitors,” said Philip Vermeulen, Director of both companies. “We truly believe that this beautiful unique landscape and its nature is vital to the Island’s offering for both leisure and sporting activities.” Vermeulen emphasized, “Our Manx natural assets and environment require responsible use and protection through active participation and a collective effort so that future generations can benefit and feel proud of their heritage and Island.”

Manx BirdLife Chairman, Robert Jeavons, added, “We look forward to working alongside Langness Golf Course Ltd and the Island’s many non-governmental and government organizations and special interest groups to continue advancing nature conservation initiatives across the Langness Peninsula”.

About Langness

The Langness ‘saltmarsh and backshore’ forms part of the nationally important Langness, Sandwick and Derbyhaven Area of Special Scientific Interest (LSD ASSI, 2001).

This rare mix of coastal habitats falls within the original Isle of Man Wild Bird Sanctuary (1936), is internationally recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA 2007) and is an outstanding environmental asset within the UNESCO Biosphere Core Zone (2016). Furthermore, the adjoining foreshore and surrounding seas comprise the Langness Marine Nature Reserve (MNR 2018).

The mosaic of interlinked habitats of Langness, Sandwick and Derbyhaven have hosted 202 of the 332 species of wild bird recorded in the Isle of Man, including:

• 68 Schedule 1 species (IOM Wildlife Act 1990);
• 30 of 48 Red-listed species (as cited in Birds of Conservation Concern in the Isle of Man BoCCIoM 2021), of which 26 have bred;
• 19 of the 68 Amber-listed species.