Wetland for waders

40 hectares of wet grassland

At Blue House Farm, witness the migration of thousands of dark-bellied brent geese, the squelch and trudge of wading birds such as golden plover, wigeon and dunlin or catch a glimpse of the soaring owls or marsh harriers scanning the vast hectares of grazing coastal marsh and grassland for their next meal.

Spanning 287 hectares, this site offers wildlife refuge, while the public can enjoy the perimeters leading to bird hides and allowing for scenic strolls along the seawall to view the Crouch estuary.

With generous funding from Biffa Award, Essex Wildlife Trust can transform parts of this south Essex landscape. A wetland creation of over 40 hectares will deliver greater breeding opportunities for threatened species, provide habitat connectivity and ensure climate change resilience through water storage, soil health and carbon sequestration. Not only will this have huge positive impacts for wildlife, but the public will be able to enjoy the wildlife that thrives here.

As this photograph below demonstrates, vast areas of the landscape will dry up when spring and summer start to warm the fields. This project, however, will adapt the landscape to create shallow-profiled scrapes and remove agricultural drains. This will provide substantial benefits to threatened bird species, tiny insects and small mammals who all rely on wetland areas for breeding, living or as respite.

dry land at blue house farm — With warmer weather in spring and summer, the land begins to dry.

A benefit to wildlife

Thousands of birds that call Blue House Farm their home, or visit here for periods of the year, will be able to thrive in the extended wetland landscape created by the Trust. Not just birds, but invertebrates will thrive in the muddy pools of collected water, and small mammals will enjoy this extended habitat and feeding ground also.

Project completion

In the spring of 2023, this wetland project was completed. Check out the video below to see Blue House Farm's Warden, Harry Smith, talking about the site's transformation.

James Astley, Grants and Trust Officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, says:

“Blue House Farm is a sanctuary for birds and bird-lovers alike. The views of the estuary and the sea of green fields already make this one of the best wild coastal landscapes in Essex, attracting wildlife and public visitors from afar. This latest project really will elevate the landscape at Blue House Farm nature reserve, in consideration of our most threatened bird species. We would like to thank Biffa Award for their generous funding. Without them, this essential work to provide a better habitat for our resident and migratory birds wouldn’t be possible.”

Rachel Maidment, Biffa Award Grants Manager, says:

“Biffa Award is delighted to be able to support Essex Wildlife Trust awarding a grant of £263,874 to create this valuable wetland haven of over 40 hectares for a variety of important species. It is paramount that we continue to invest in projects like this through our Partnership Grants Scheme which play a significant part in promoting nature’s recovery. We can’t wait to see more birds using the site and flourishing following completion of the work.”