Virtual Field Trips
Solar Boat
3. Ellanore Spit
Ellanore Spit is one of the most important areas of vegetated shingle within the Harbour.
Saltmarsh on sheltered side
Vegetated Shingle Spit
Saltmarsh
On the sheltered side is rich saltmarsh habitat. The spit and the saltmarsh protect the shoreline behind from erosion.
From the end of the spit, there are views across the harbour to the South Downs.
End of the spit
Changing shape
Old maps show that it was once just a little pimple on the shoreline. The Anglo Saxon word Nore means a hard or landing place. During the last 30 years the spur has grown massively and the end is still growing.
This is as a result of the replacement (recharge) of material on the beaches at Sandy Point, Hayling during the 1980’s.
Signposting and fence on spit
Protected area
There is limited public access to the spit. A fence and notices have been erected to discourage people from walking right along it. This is because it is an important area for ground nesting birds that could be very easily disturbed.
Bones on the beach…
On several occasions during the last few years, human bones have been found lying on the shoreline. The bones have been forensically tested and shown to be very old.
There are several theories as to how the bones got there –
- There was once an old cemetery on the adjoining land. The bones fall onto the beach as the shoreline erodes away.
- Bodies from a shipwreck were washed up and quickly got covered with mud. The bones are now exposed as the mud gets washed away.
- The bones are those of Napoleon prisoners of war who were occupied in the building of sea defences in the harbour.
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