Am just interrupting Allotments theme to highlight something I encountered yesterday while walking Humber bank promenade at East Halton ‘marsh’. The series of previously large arable fields immediately inland of the concrete embankment flood defence are now in the process of being transformed into what will be a wetland nature reserve. This is a large area of, I would guess, 150-200 acres. Sections of mature hawthorn hedges, that previously defined field boundaries, have been uprooted (not sure why). A series of mostly parallel straight shallow channels have been excavated across the site, these with very gentle gradient sides, possibly for ease of access by waterfowl and reptiles. In some places the channels seem to form a sort of square. The drainage ditches that previously ran alongside the hedges have been left, but in places piped below vehicle access points.
Even though there were a few rod-and-line fishermen as the tide was flowing the quiet was palpable all except for the swish of the very shallow wind-waves breaking against the rocky base of the embankment.
There were three ships anchored at the North Killingholme jetties and R. reported that she now had to wait for a security person to take her across the access road (public right of way) rather than being free to cross as before. Had a car transporter docked (Mercedes?) as well as container ships.
The lone bungalow standing just inland of the embankment and owning (I think) the site of its neighbouring redundant brick works with a surviving tall chimney had a few goats, pigs and sheep but otherwise seemed run-down.
Clearly I need to find out more about the wetland development.