We have been managing Defra’s compensatory inter-tidal habitat scheme on Wallasea Island since March 2007. With the site being tidal habitats, physical habitat management opportunities are rare. The most enjoyable and challenging management task is vegetation management on the roosting islands. We do this over two days in Sept/Oct each year – pulling together a team of 6-8 staff/volunteers from our South Essex and Old Hall Marshes reserves. We tend to combine these visits with a tide-line litter pick.
The first visit this year was last Friday. We always pick a big spring tide, giving us easy boat access over the rough terrain. The drawback with a spring tide is that the tide comes and goes rather quickly, making it a challenge to get back in good time. The aim is to cut 60-70% of the vegetation to ground level with brushcutters, to provide a suitable wader roosting/wildfowl loafing area. The cut material is raked in to piles and left to compost. We managed to cut two of the larger islands in the eastern section – see photo. We plan to complete the job on 23 October, weather permitting.
Our litter pick was rather too productive – see photo – it never ceases to amaze me what you find and how much there is of it!
As an aside, we are keen to find a new name for the Defra Site. We see this excellent area as an integral part of the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project but it really does need a more sexy title – any suggestions more than gratefully received!
Chris Tyas
RSPB Wallasea Island Project Manager
I've gone wild on Wallasea!