Home / Environment / Harbour mud builds bird havens on Essex coast
Harbour mud builds bird havens on Essex coast
14 Oct
Summary
- Sediment from Harwich Harbour is creating new bird habitats.
- New shingle banks will benefit little tern and other birds.
- The £2.5m project aids flood protection and erosion control.
Sediment dredged from Harwich Harbour is being repurposed to establish new nesting grounds for seabirds on the Essex coast. Engineers are collecting this material during routine maintenance and relocating it to the Blackwater Estuary to construct new shingle banks.
This £2.5m initiative, which commenced in October, is designed to create valuable habitats for species including the little tern, ringed plover, and oystercatcher. These birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbances and the impacts of rising sea levels.
The project also serves the dual purpose of mitigating coastal erosion and enhancing flood defenses. Sediment will be deposited at multiple locations within the estuary, such as Cobmarsh Island and Old Hall Point. During the spring and summer months, these restored shingle banks will provide safe havens for ground-nesting birds to raise their young.
