National Trust sinks three barges to form new island for birds

The National Trust has sunk three decommissioned barges in the Blackwater Estuary and will cover them with about 8,000 cubic metres of sediment to create a 0.55-hectare island intended as bird habitat.

The National Trust has sunk three decommissioned flat-bottomed barges in the Blackwater Estuary, off the eastern shore of Northey Island, and is covering them with mud to form a new island for birds. Up to 8,000 cubic metres of sediment will be dredged and placed to fill and surround the vessels. The barges were prepared by specialist contractors, towed into place, had holes cut in their hulls and were filled with sediment to secure them on a platform of mud. The effort follows earlier local habitat projects and aims to provide a refuge above the highest tides. Key details: - The scheme will use around 8,000 cubic metres of sediment, roughly the volume of three Olympic swimming pools. - A dredge barge will make about 170 trips from Maldon harbour to transfer the material. - The lighters measure between 20 and 32 metres long and were decommissioned before being prepared for placement. - Holes were cut in the hulls to sink the vessels and they were filled with sediment to weigh them down. - The finished feature will add about 0.55 hectares (1.4 acres) of new habitat, almost the size of a football pitch. - The plan is intended to provide refuge for species such as dunlin, curlew, lapwing, ringed plover, little terns, avocets and other waders and geese, and to help shelter the neighbouring saltmarsh from erosion. Summary: The project aims to establish a small island that sits above high tide to offer a new safe area for declining and vulnerable bird species and to reduce erosion of the adjacent saltmarsh. Work will continue by topping the site with sediment for a period, after which managers will observe when birds begin to use the new habitat.