Yesterday saw the start of an exciting phase of the restoration of coastal nature on the Essex coast at Wallasea Island.

Here’s the full story of our launch with Crossrail – without whom the whole project would have been difficult to achieve. And here's more in the Guardian

And here are some pictures from yesterday and of the site and wildlife that will benefit.

Crossrail's Chief Executive Andrew Wolstenholme, Secretary of State for the Environment Owen Patterson and RSPB Chief Executive Mike Clarke press the big red button to start creation of Wallasea Island Wild Coast. Piciure Crossrail

Wallasea Island - bird's eye view of the unloading pontoon where ships are now bringing the diggings from Crossrail tunnelling. Picture David Wootton RSPB Images

Kentish plover - a bird that used to nest in England but was lost to the pressures of coastal development - Wallasea could provide an opportunity for its return. Picture Gordon Langsbury RSPB Images

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