Farlington Marshes | |
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Type | Local Nature Reserve |
Location | Portsmouth, Hampshire |
OS grid | SU 685 043 |
Area | 119.7 hectares (296 acres) |
Managed by | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust |
Farlington Marshes is a 119.7-hectare (296-acre) Local Nature Reserve in Portsmouth in Hampshire. It is owned by Portsmouth City Council and managed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.[1][2][3] It is part of Langstone Harbour, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest[4][5] and a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I.[6] It is also part of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation[7] and of Chichester and Langstone Harbours Ramsar site[8] and Special Protection Area.[9]
Farlington Marshes is an area of reclaimed land in Langstone harbour.[10] It was reclaimed from the harbour in 1771 and includes a larger part of what was formerly Binner's Island (the remainder of the island is now referred to as North Binness Island).[10] Farlington Marshes is about 120 hectares in size and features both freshwater marsh and brackish marsh.[11] It is a feeding ground for overwintering Brent geese.[11] During World War 2 it was used as a starfish site acting as a decoy for Portsea Island.[12] The control blockhouses remain on the marshes.[12]