In 2023, Norfolk FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group) and Pastures & Habitats Limited worked together to design and implement an ambitious Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Scheme. The aim was to enhance and manage approximately 150 hectares of permanent grassland on the Halvergate marshes for the benefit of breeding waders and wintering waders and wildfowl.
The marshes had been managed under an ELS/HLS scheme since 2013 and already support breeding populations of redshank, lapwing, and oystercatcher; however, some of the marshes had started to decline in condition and their restoration became the focus of the new scheme.
Rationale
The Broads National Park spans 11,400 hectares of grazing marsh and supports important breeding populations of lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher, and snipe. However, changes in agricultural practices and systematic drainage over the past century have resulted in a widespread loss of habitat for these species. The region receives relatively low rainfall in the spring and summer compared to other parts of the UK, and with global climate change exacerbating this issue, declines are likely to continue in the absence of targeted conservation efforts.
Breeding habitat for snipe
One of the key target species of the scheme was the snipe, which has been known to breed in the area for at least the last decade despite declines in other parts of the Broads. The ‘snipe marshes’, as they have come to be known, encompass 8.3 hectares of wet grassland that have experienced a decline in management over the past decade. Foot drains had become overgrown, and the ditches were in need of management.
With support from partner organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Natural England, and the local Internal Drainage Board (IDB), a carefully crafted design was developed. The plan included the installation of foot drains, earth dams, and sluices to regulate water levels and maintain the required wet conditions on the marshes during the summer. These measures will not only enhance snipe habitat but also create a more controlled environment for other wader species.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme
In January 2024, the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement went live, securing 72 hectares of grassland managed specifically for breeding waders, a further 50 hectares for wintering waders and wildfowl. Additionally, 26 hectares of grassland will be managed for target features, and 11 kilometres of ditches with high environmental value will be maintained under the scheme.
The breeding wader population is already being closely monitored by Pastures & Habitats Limited, and there is optimism that the restoration work will lead to an increase in the number of breeding snipe and other wader species in the coming years.
Enhancing the Landscape for Future Generations
The land is located adjacent to the RSPB Halvergate Marshes, which encompasses an extensive area of wet grassland. The restoration work undertaken through the scheme will therefore create a larger contiguous area of breeding wader habitat and contribute to landscape-scale conservation efforts.
The project at Halvergate is an excellent example of how agri-environment schemes can support landowners to make a significant contribution to the protection of species and landscapes.
