Crow Point is a sand spit, which is also a tidal island at the moment, although it is only cut off at spring tides. It is a comparatively recent island, as a shingle spit, known then as Crow Neck, only started to form across the Taw estuary c1840. The reasons for its formation were probably:
- Fish weirs, which were constructed in the intertidal area around Crow Point in the mid 19th century. These obstructed the flow of the tide and caused the deposition of sand and shingle.
- Horsey Island was enclosed in 1857, which altered the course of the River Caen. Before this time it flowed along the northern side of the island and probably provided enough water to keep the area where Crow Point now is, clear of excess sand.
By 1900 sand dunes had begun to form on top of the spit. In 1921 the spit was breached and Crow Point became an island. Then for the next 25 years or so sand was gradually deposited on Crow Neck and by 1946 it was c60 metres wide and marram grass had established itself on the island.
The gap between Crow Point and Braunton Burrows is currently protected by a low line of rock armour. A 2013 report commissioned by the Environment Agency and Torridge District Council says that the existing rock armour will fail at some point after 2025 if it is not maintained. Experts disagree what the result of this failure will be on Crow Point.
Crow Point Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1954 to guide ships and boats sailing up and down the Taw and Torridge estuaries. It was originally powered by acetylene gas but was converted to electrical operation in 1978 and solar power in 1987. The light is 7.6 metres above mean high water level.
Crow Point Lighthouse
Crow Point Lighthouse
Crow Point Lighthouse
The gap between Crow Point and Braunton Burrows
Looking NW up the landward side of Crow Point
Looking SE down Crow Point
Crow Point Lighthouse from the top of Crow Point
Crow Point Lighthouse
Common restharrow
Crow Point Lighthouse from the top of Crow Point
Memorial? on the top of Crow Point
Six-spot burnet moth on viper's bugloss
Appledore from Crow Point
your work is fantastic,i wish i had known about it sooner,it seems ive missed quite a few islands,and ive bagged 1118 of them,im looking forward to many more of your posts,im going to bag the west coast of Scotland next,then the rest of the Thames islands,(ive reached Bray)keep up the excellant work
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