During the past few months the Brackish marsh at Titchwell has been fully drained of water. This has been done to allow the construction of a new sea wall, preparing for the breaching of the current seawall in 2011. This breaching will mean that the brackish marsh will be open to the sea and on most tides sea water will enter the marsh. This will slowly turn this area into saltmarsh but it will still retain an element of brackish water. How?
Previously we mixed water from the Fresh marsh with sea-water that we allowed into the Brackish marsh on high tides. This water mixed and produced the brackish conditions we and the avocets liked. One of the problems was despite constant monitoring and fiddling with sluices we often struggled to get the desired concentrations of salt water.
It would appear that a fresh water spring in the brackish marsh was constantly diluting the water and making it more fresh. We have always suspected there was a spring in the reed on the brackish marsh but it has been difficult to confirm. The recent draining of the marsh coupled with the high ground water levels means the spring has become more obvious and you can even see it from the west bank path if you look carefully.
Is this going to cause a problem when the sea is let into the Brackish marsh?
No. In fact this is a real bonus for the wildlife that lives in these brackish areas. The spring will mean that there is an element of brackish water in the area despite us having no control over the sea water coming in. This will benefit lots of the bugs and beasties in the marsh some of which rely on these slightly salty conditions.
Hi Robert
It is great news to hear of the continual improvements going on at Titchwell at the moment. {thumbs up}
I would imagine it would take a lot of technical skill, and knowledge the get the mixtures of the Fresh and Salt water combination just right. Not an easy task with lots of tests going on via the Water Board!
The new sea wall has to withstand the sea changes going on in the British Isles now, and in the future. Will this new seawall withstand the test of time? How long will it last - has it a lifespan?? Always a debate to be had by people!
The big test will be in the next two year or so when the migatory birds appear each year, and the resident birds will want to stay along with the changes that have been made. It will interesting to see how the wildlife adapts and they notice the difference! It will open a new species book for you I would think, and attract a lot more visitors to birds and people alike.
As you say birds like the Avocet that need the semi-salt water for their food as it is the environment that suits their feeding needs. What other birds like the Avocet need the same type of water requirements?
At the end of this project what are the biggest plus points for you at Titchwell?
Are there any other different birds that you want on your wish list to test the new upgraded Titchwell once the project is fully completed?
Regards
Kathy and Dave