Sunken Thames barges create new island for birds

What’s Happening

Okay so The National Trust describes the Northey Island project as “a bold marine engineering feat”.

Sunken Thames barges create new island for birds 5 hours ago Save Helen Burchell Save Rob Coleman Birds including lapwings are expected to benefit from their new “island” habitat Old Thames barges have been sunk in an estuary to reduce erosion and create a new “island” habitat for birds, in a project the National Trust believes to be the first of its kind in the UK. Three decommissioned lighters - old barges that were used to transport coal and other industrial materials - have been sunk in the Blackwater Estuary, between Maldon and West Mersea in Essex. (and honestly, same)

The barges were filled and covered with sediment to create a new island for birds including endangered dunlin, curlew, ringed plover and lapwing.

The Details

The trust dropped it was one of a number of “innovative, nature-based solutions to protect Northey Island against rising sea levels and the rapid loss of saltmarsh”. Bluesky UAV The barges had to be towed into position The old barges, once used to transport building materials, coal and food from the Port of London, have spent more than 30 years moored in Essex.

Now sitting on the inter-tidal mudflats of the estuary, they have created a new land mass on the edge of the existing saltmarsh at Northey Island. They have now begun a new life as part of efforts to secure the future of endangered seabirds that are on the UK red list for conservation .

Why This Matters

The new island is also expected to help reduce the erosion of saltmarsh habitat, which is at risk from rising sea levels at neighbouring Northey Island, the trust dropped. National Trust An aerial shot shows two of the barges being moved into position The National Trust has described this project as “a bold marine engineering feat”. Katy Gilchrist, coastal project manager for the trust, dropped: “This is the ultimate act of marine recycling - transforming retired industrial vessels into a sanctuary for wildlife.

The scientific community tends to find developments like this significant.

The Bottom Line

Katy Gilchrist, coastal project manager for the trust, dropped: “This is the ultimate act of marine recycling - transforming retired industrial vessels into a sanctuary for wildlife. “Were basically turning history into habitat, and as far as we know, no-one has attempted anything quite like this before.

What’s your take on this whole situation?