November 2023: Harwich Haven Authority worked in partnership with the RSPB and the Environment Agency, to use 50,000 cubic metres of dredged sand and shingle from the channel deepening project to create new island habitats for breeding birds. This beneficial use of dredged materials project is part of a wider EU LIFE funded LIFE on the Edge project, with further funding from the Environment Agency and Harwich Haven Authority.
A total of 28 pairs of Little Terns have successfully raised 42 chicks during this year’s breeding season at Horsey Island in Essex, making it the most important site in the county for this threatened species.
Nesting on beaches, Little Terns are highly vulnerable to disturbance and erosion exacerbated by rising sea-levels throughout their breeding grounds. The project at Horsey Island, raises the height of a shingle beach out of the reach of the highest tides. This provides safe nesting habitat for this species to breed.
The island location also means that the breeding site is relatively free of disturbance from people and predators. Along with providing breeding sites for this threatened seabird, the recharge scheme will also help to reduce erosion of the saltmarsh over time.