Plans are being drawn up to improve facilities at Langness as an outstanding haven for wildlife.
Environment Minister Phil Gawne told MHKs his department is in talks with Manx National Heritage, landowners and bird groups to devise ‘sensitive’ improvements to the visitor experience.
Interpretation signs are planned to highlight the various wildlife that can be seen in the area and there are also proposals to build a bird hide overlooking the saltmarsh.
Douglas North MHK Bill Henderson quizzed the Minister in the House of Keys over the importance of the Langness peninsula in island and European terms for its habitat and wildlife.
Mr Gawne replied that Langness was ‘outstanding’ as a site for wildlife and is internationally important as the only site in the British Isles for the lesser mottled grasshopper.
He added: ‘It has Isle of Man importance as the best Manx site for wintering and migratory waders and wildfowl, for having one of the largest areas of saltmarsh in the island, a very restricted habitat of highly specialised species and for a number of rare and protected animals and plants.
‘It also has a combination of geological features unique in the island and is of course the only tombolo, or dune-linked rocky island.’
Mr Gawne said: ‘My department is in discussion with MNH, landowners and the Manx Ornithological Society regarding improvements to the visitor experience, and with the Manx Chough Project regarding their specific interest.
‘There is an interest on Langness in improving the facilities and we will work with the owners to support sensitive improvements.
‘We also liaise with statutory bodies such as the Department of Infrastructure regarding necessary works and to advise of planning matters. We intend to have some site interpretation organised in the near future.’
Langness was designated a bird sanctuary as far back as 1936 and became an Area of Special Scientific Interest in 2000. There are no plans currently to make it a National Nature Reserve.
The Minister explained a new management agreement has recently been signed, covering the southern end of the peninsula, to improve the habitat for the rare lesser mottled or Langness grasshopper.
He said his officers visit the site to liaise with the owners and undertake surveys.
