Situated along the north coast of Norfolk, Titchwell Marsh is continually challenged by the encroaching North Sea, which is gradually wearing down the sea walls that safeguard it. Should the sea breach these defences, the fresh water lagoons that sustain a diversity of birds and other wildlife would be at risk.
Titchwell Marsh was first claimed from the sea in the 1700s, sea walls were built and the land was used for agriculture and cattle grazing. During and after WWII, part of the land was established as a tank range and used by the military for target practice. The abandoned remains of two rusting tanks can still be seen on the shore at low tide. A devastating storm surge in 1953 broke through the sea walls, these were never rebuilt and the area reverted to saltmarsh until the RSPB purchased the site in 1973. Over a period of many years, sea walls were rebuilt to protect the reserve from the sea, but the sea continued to threaten inland areas and in 2010 The Titchwell Marsh Coastal Change project was implemented to protect important freshwater habitats from coastal erosion and rising sea levels. The project realigned and strengthened sea defences using in part, material from the grazing marsh on the east of the reserve. It may be hard to imagine it, but the area known as Patsy’s Pool was formerly a meadow, grazed by sheep and cattle.
The brief stroll to this area of the reserve is definitely rewarding. A winding boardwalk leads across the historic Tank Road, where the military practiced shooting at targets positioned on the beach or along single-gauge tracks in front of the dunes. Continue your journey further east to arrive at Patsy’s Screen, where you can frequently observe Shovelers, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes, Little Egrets, and Pochard as they feed. You may even spot Bearded Tits sitting in the reeds at the edge of the pool and during autumn migration, patience is often rewarded with sightings of Jack and Common Snipe. Winter at Patsy’s is one of the best times to find interesting species of diving ducks such as Golden Eye. But the crowning glory here is views of Marsh Harriers, seen in significant numbers as they return to their reedbed roosts as dusk falls.
The screen at Patsy’s serves to protect visitors from bracing northerly winds, but more importantly, helps to reduce disturbance for birds feeding, swimming and playing in this man made pool. Built over ten years ago, the viewing screen is no longer fit for purpose. Exposure to the harsh climate of the north Norfolk coast has compromised its integrity and repeated repairs are proving challenging. Plus, over the years we’ve had feedback that the design of Patsy’s Screen is far from ideal for visitors, and we agree. So, it’s time for an upgrade.
Our plan is to remove most of the screen and replace it with a low fence. We’ll try to reuse as much of the existing material as we can to keep our carbon footprint low. The design modification will provide visitors with clearer views of the pool, while effectively concealing the movement of human feet, which we know can disturb birds on the water. This style of low fencing adjacent to pools works well at other reserves, but nothing is taken for granted so we’ll carefully monitor the area for disturbance issues.
Work begins this week and we’ll let you know how it progresses, so please keep an eye on our social media accounts:
www.facebook.com/RSPBTitchwell
www.x.com/rspbtitchwell
www.instagram.com/rspbtitchwell_snettisham