Downs to the Sea - Ferry Fields Wetland Enhancement

Description

Ferry Field is split into two distinct sections: a saline lagoon and freshwater wet grassland. The saline lagoon hosts a range of waders and wildfowl, but in summer it dries out hugely. This makes the pool hypersaline and unable to support important flora and fauna. The wet grassland part of the field also struggles to hold water. Although natural rills can be seen they are ill-defined and need refreshing. There is huge predation pressure around this field from foxes and badgers, meaning even if ground nesting birds successfully breed, their chicks cannot survive. This project will improve the habitats here by: - Improving water control by installing a sluice - Improving the saline lagoon by reprofiling the steep sided bank - Creating wet features in the grassland to provide muddy edges for wader feeding - Creating a clear boundary between the sections of the field by installing a low bund - Reducing predation pressure by installing a predator exclusion fence