Essex Wildlife Trust completes 40-hectare wetland project at Blue House Farm, to help save threatened species

By Ben Shahrabi

16th May 2023 | Local News

Essex Wildlife Trust has announced the completion of a 40-hectare wetland project at Blue House Farm nature reserve, in North Fambridge.

Spanning 287 hectares altogether, the coastal grazing habitat next to the River Crouch is an essential contributor to habitats in the Maldon District and Essex.

Essex Wildlife Trust's project began in spring last year, and aims to deliver greater breeding opportunities for threatened species, provide habitat connectivity, and ensure climate change resilience through water storage, soil health and carbon sequestration.

The project aims to help local biodiversity flourish.

Harry Smith, Warden at Blue House Farm nature reserve, said: "We are thrilled to announce the competition of this project. Wetlands are vital habitats and support over 40 per cent of the world's wildlife.

"In Essex, where rainfall is less frequent, it is important we restore and create new wetlands for the species that rely upon them. Even in its early stages, the new wetland is retaining rainfall well and we are seeing signs of new life within the protected area.

"It's a really exciting project for the Trust."

An aerial picture of the completed wetland at Blue House Farm shows the vast scale of the operation. (Photo: Essex Wildlife Trust)

Breeding numbers of lapwing and redshank birds have rapidly declined since 1995. By adapting the landscape with scrapes and ditches, what usually would be dried land in the spring and summer is now a wetland, which will hopefully support thousands of birds survive winter by flocking to the nature reserve each year.

The Trust has already noted successful signs of breeding inside the new protected area, including a nesting pair of lapwing and oystercatcher.

says: "Biffa Award is extremely delighted to support Essex Wildlife Trust's project to transform a South Essex coastal habitat. Through our Partnership Grants Scheme, we are able to make significant grants to projects that introduce, conserve or protect our wildlife, paving the way for nature's recovery on a large scale."

The project was funded by Biffa Award as part of the waste management company's Landfill Communities Fund.

Rachel Maidment, Grants Manager for Biffa Award, said: "The work that has taken place at Blue House Farm is vital for the natural environment, creating a productive area for breeding birds, as well as improving soil health and carbon storage that help deliver climate change resilience."

Essex Wildlife Trust's project was also supported gifts in wills from Mollie Drake MBE, Clive Fenner and Valerie Thomas, along with donations in memory of Jack Wratten, Ken Taylor and John Bugg.