A ‘motorway service station’ for wildlife is emerging at the mouth of the Humber - helping improve a protected zone while putting economic development opportunities in the fast lane.
The gifting of land as a legacy from departing Novartis has delivered the unique chance to create more habitat for migrating birds. Now starting to appear, it also acts as mitigation for future development in a zone ripe for industrial investment.
Design ecologist Roger Wardle heads up a specialist consultancy that creates such sites. The Lincolnshire-based expert said: “The Humber Estuary is a huge, often forgotten about, but diverse habitat. From the beaches and sand dunes, to the saltmarsh, mudflats and lagoons, the area is home to a wide variety of wildlife.
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“The estuary’s rich habitats are teaming with birds, insects and animals. That importance is demonstrated by the area’s recognition and protection by international, EU and UK law.”
The area is designated as a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance. It is also a Special Protect Area for its birds, as well being a Special Area for Conservation and European Marine Site. Since 1988 UK legislation has protected the area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
“Many wading birds use the Humber estuary as a “stopping off” point on their migration journeys where they can feed on the very rich invertebrate food source on the mudflats,” Mr Wardle said. “Large numbers of golden plover, lapwing, black tailed godwit, curlew and others also stay all winter to benefit from the relatively mild climate combined with a reliable food source revealed twice a day by the tide. Eventually most migrate back to their northern breeding grounds in the spring.
“Novartis Ings site is the second significant wildlife haven being built in North East Lincolnshire primarily for waders. The first, the nearby Cress Marsh site, was built in 2018 and has already attracted a good range of wildlife including the return of breeding wader species.
“Novartis Ings is ideally located directly adjacent to the estuary. It has been created following the transfer of 35 acres of land, free of charge, from the pharmaceutical giant. They left this as their legacy to the local community after manufacturing at the site next door for over 70 years. This is boosted by another parcel of land formerly owned by Solenis, in total around 18 hectares, or 20 football fields.
“In years to come, much of the hinterland of the Humber estuary will attract economic, industrial and other developments.”
Both are part of the £42 million South Humber Industrial Investment Programme, which has already seen the creation of the new link road between Grimsby and Immingham, and a purpose built business park on the A1173 near Immingham, with Myenergi as the anchor tenant.
“As a condition of developments, mitigation land must be set aside especially for roosting waders,” Mr Wardle said. “These birds require wide open undisturbed sites ideally with a mosaic of shallow water with spits and island where they can roost safely at high tide. The council has taken this innovative approach of building the ‘mitigation’ sites before they are actually needed in terms of the development process.
“Man-made sea defences were created in the area many years ago along with additional drainage improvements so that the area between Grimsby and Stallingborough became more “useful” in terms of farming, housing and industry.
“However, over time, this also meant that the marshland and open farmland associated with the Humber estuary hinterland was reduced. These mitigation sites are creating specially designed and protected areas for waders close to their feeding grounds, but must be free from disturbance. The close proximity of the site and short flight saves the birds precious energy. This is particularly important when birds are stressed by bad weather, recuperating from a long migration flight or building up condition ready for migration and breeding in spring.
“The birds’ behaviour is driven by the tides, feeding when the invertebrate rich mudflats are exposed, usually twice a day, but then birds are displaced as the water returns. The waders fly over the sea defence to find somewhere to roost and rest in relative safety until the tide once again goes out. Just like humans, birds prefer to take the easy option, if available by flying the least possible distance. This also conserves energy that also helps with survival and ability to migrate and breed. This is why we think this site, right on the edge of the Humber, will be a success.
“You can think of it a bit like the estuary being a motorway service station that closes at every high tide. The Novartis Ings site providing the essential accommodation to rest up until the next opening time.
“Even before it is finished a flock of a 100 or so curlews are already using the site.Only time will tell – it might not be an overnight success, but we are very optimistic that the site will be a significant environmental contribution in conserving the waders of the Humber.”
To overcome the fact it is situated in a low rainfall area - which means additional supply is required - water will be harvested from the Mawmbridge Drain just before it discharges into the estuary, with no additional demand on the local water supply system. Some will be stored in a lagoon and released in dry times to increase resilience to drought. It is hoped lost breeding waders like oystercatcher, lapwing, redshank and others will be attracted.
Cattle will be introduced from spring to autumn to help control vegetation. Mr Wardle said: “The target species for this site much prefer short grass or bare ground. The cattle also make large footprints at the water’s edge creating micro-habitats for lots of insects that the birds subsequently feed on, not to mention the large biomass of invertebrates that live on dung pats.”
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