Objective
Orford Ness is a 16km shingle spit on the Suffolk Coast sheltering a broad belt of saltmarsh, brackish lagoons and neutral grassland. Reputedly the largest spit in Europe, it is also a haven for birds, nearly 40 species breed, migrate or overwinter in the area, of which 12 are in Annex I of the Birds Directive.
But it is not just the birds that are attracted to this remote and isolated area. Apart from having stimulated folklore, artists, musicians and poets over the centuries, the place was also a strategically important military site. Owned by the Ministry of Defence, until 1973 it was primarily used for military research purposes including bomb ballistics and firing trials. These all took their toll on the habitats and birds and even today extensive military debris is evident over much of the area. After 1973, unlawful access and activities spread unchecked across the site, resulting in a further dramatic and steady decline in many of the bird species.
This reached such a critical stage in recent years that immediate intervention was needed to conserve and restore the area. Having purchased the site in 1994, the National Trust successfully carried out a first series of emergency actions under LIFE I, including the large scale removal of all harmful military debris. But reversing the damage of 60 years of use and neglect is a slow and time consuming exercise.
The present project will build upon the successes and results of the first project in order to restore the site to a favourable conservation state. In specific terms, the project will identify the factors suppressing the breeding of Annex I ground nesting birds and the development of rare shingle flora. Once identified, it will then act upon these findings. Grazing will be extended on part of the salt meadows and along the river wall and two new lagoons will be opened up for breeding and feeding waders. Finally the management plan will be completely updated and revised in order to establish a long term conservation/ restoration programme for the site.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
NR11 6NF Norwich
United Kingdom