Completion!

After 11 weeks hard work the “scrape” or seasonally flooded feature at Hollesley marshes is now complete.

A quick recap, the scrape is essentially a shallow seasonally flooded field that is very attractive to a wide range of wildlife. This is due to the wide range of niche habitats that are very attractive to invertebrates and thus birds.

We created the scrape by excavating 16,000 cm’s of soil to an average depth of 20cm’s, we then created approx 10kms deeper features using the rotary ditcher to an additional 6 inches depth. We imported 1250 tonnes of shingle, spreading it across 1 ha to attract terns and finally installed 4 sluices to control water levels on the site.  

There is only one final task to complete which is to install the anti-predator fence around the edge of the lagoons to prevent mammalian predation.

The scrape will then be managed by a combination of winter grazing by ponies, spot spraying to eliminate thistles and probably brushcutting and topping by tractor. Most of this will be undertaken by RSPB staff and volunteers.

It’s obviously too early to say whether the scrape will be successful in attracting lapwings, avocets and terns to breed but the first signs are encouraging with around 200 wigeon and 80 lapwing using the scrape to feed and roost on.

However, easily the star species to turn up since the completion of the scrape is the rare glossy ibis which spent nearly a week feeding and popping onto the scrape.  This has proved popular with local birders who have “twitched” it widely.

So far the comments we have received back from visitors have been universally popular with many surprised by the sheer scale and size of the new wetland.

We are now looking into trying to find the best solution for car parking on the site so that this wetland is accessible for all. We will also be putting up some permanent signage up too point people in the right direction. For now those who wish to visit this reserve should park in the car park at Shingle Street and follow the footpath up to the reserve, it is the first one on the right, just past the bridge. It is then a short walk up to the scrape.  Best view points are the type 22 pillbox and if you head west down the footpath off the seawall, just past the double wooden gates is the viewing mound created to aid views across the scrape. This is also the place to see the wigeon and lapwing.

It is now just a case of watch this space for this new exciting wetland, we will keep you abreast of any exciting developments. If you do go down to the then please let us know what you see @RSPB_S_SUFFOLK twitter account or havergate.island@rspb.org.uk.

K