FINGRINGHOE WICK – LAND PURCHASE APPEAL

A once in a lifetime opportunity to create a fantastic wetland

Can you help us make a real step forward for wildlife in Essex?

Imagine a wetland creation adjoining our fantastic Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve

Fingringhoe Wick has been described as the ‘jewel in the Trust’s Crown’ and has awoken many thousands of us to the wonder of nature. Fingringhoe Wick was Essex Wildlife Trust’s first nature reserve (1961) and some years later it was where the Trust opened their first visitor centre, and more than fifty years on people are still coming to see this magical place.  The 100 members who established the Trust in 1959 and had the vision to fundraise and purchase the Fingringhoe site would have been so excited to know that we now have the opportunity to almost double its size.

Essex Wildlife Trust has the opportunity to purchase 87 acres of land next to the wonderful Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve.  The site is set in a spectacular position with stunning views over the Colne Estuary and, with your support, we would like to create a fantastic wetland out of what is currently arable land! 

We need to raise the last £85,830 to enable us purchase the land. Then in the autumn of 2014 we will begin to the wetland.  We have been fundraising over the last year to try and reach the target but time is running out – we need to raise the last £85,830 in cash by June 2014 to match the funds we have received for the land purchase.

We need 3,433 people to donate £25.00 each to buy this important land to create a wetland.

To purchase the wetland creation site would be a fantastic achievement and would enable the Trust to create a fantastic habitat, expand our current nature reserve and ensure that this land is kept in perpetuity for both wildlife and people. 

If Essex Wildlife Trust can purchase the land it will become an important ‘hotspot’ for migrating birds.  The project will significantly contribute towards delivering the UK, East of England and Essex Biodiversity Action Plan targets.  Furthermore, the creation of this superb wetland habitat will leave a legacy for present and future generations to experience and enjoy.

With this new land we will increase Fingringhoe’s significance for wildlife and people:

·         The strategic position of this land means that we can increase the current Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve, giving wildlife an even bigger area in which to flourish.

·         This project offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to recreate coastal marshes and important mudflats, a natural habitat that is fast declining (60% loss in the last 20 years).  The sea wall will be breached in two places and important mudflats and saltmarsh will be created. The Colne Estuary is an area of international, national and local conservation importance and is also of historical and cultural importance. 

·         This exciting wetland creation project will be important for wildlife and people.  We will open up what is currently inaccessible, arable land with paths and a bird hide – giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy this fantastic landscape and creation.

·         Many important species will benefit - the estuary is of international importance for wintering Brent Geese and Black Tailed Godwit and of national importance for breeding Little Terns and other wintering waders and wildfowl.  Other species that will benefit include Pochard, Common Redshank, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Redshank, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Shellduck, Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, Curlew, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Skylarks, Meadow Pippit, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Curlew and Golden Plower.

·         In addition, due to the natural gradient of the site a significant reedbed will be created to attract a range of wildlife including Reed Bunting, Water Vole, Bittern, Bearded Tit, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Water Rail, Eels and a range of dragonflies and damselflies.

·         We have the experience to do this because it is similar to the fantastic project at Abbotts Hall completed 11 years ago.

 Creation of the wetland

Essex Wildlife Trust is working in partnership with the Environment Agency.  Essex Wildlife Trust will purchase and own the land.  The Environment Agency have already worked on the estuarine modelling and monitoring and will undertake all works on site to create the inter-tidal habitat, including breaching the seawall.  Planning permission has been granted and the timing of the construction works will be critical to avoid disturbing breeding birds and over-wintering birds.  Once this work has been done, footpaths will be established and a bird hide will be put up to provide views over the nature reserve and the stunning Estuary

Please help us buy this land and deliver this important project for conservation

We will invite all donors on a special guided walk led by specialist Essex Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers once the wetland has been created. 

If we raise more than £85,830 from this appeal we promise to use the surplus to fund further work at Fingringhoe Wick.

Fingringhoe Wick nature reserve visitor centre.

The visitor centre opened in 1975.  Many visitors are welcomed here every year.  There are stunning views, fantastic walks through wild habitats and in late April/early May it is the best place to hear (and maybe see!) the elusive songster – the Nightingale.  Last year over 30 males could be heard singing.