The main part of the reserve was not affected by the tidal surge but Cowpen Marsh was inundated with salt water when the sea wall failed to hold back the tide.
This is a general view looking south towards the car park.
A closer view shows the fence along the path just poking above the sea water.
The water has now fallen, and work is progressing on mending the breach in the sea wall and the road - A178 - remains closed. We have done what little repairs we can (to the dam we put in two days earlier) but must now have structural surveys done on the board walk before the path can open again. There is no access to the Cowpen Marsh car park until the road is re-opened. Prolonged immersion in sea water will have distroyed much of the marsh flora and fauna and it will be a long time before the salt can be washed out of the marsh and life return to normal. Improvements in the marsh have been put back but will progress when conditions allow.
But we were luckier than some reserves where damage has been much worse. And all our hides are fine and the reedbeds unaffected.
Peter