Visitor trail map
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The National Trust bought the site from the MOD in 1993. It is one of the most dynamic landforms in the UK
The map shows the visitor trails through the main habitats present: vegetated shingle, salt marsh and grazing marsh. Management is aimed at allowing the continuation of natural processes to allow change and evolution of the landscape
It is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (European designation). Harsh conditions have developed rare specialised plants & ecology. Shingle ridges have rare sea pea (below) while shingle heath areas are one of rarest habitats in Britain & include sea campion & rare lichens. Sediments at edges contain invetebrates that support many bird communities eg. marsh harrier & peregrine falcon
The area is managed for small numbers of visitors, times restricted to the summer, and trails except the red trail off limits until after bird breeding, usually August. Management of visitors also for their safety as many unexploded materials left over from the MOD and the site of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment is off limit. Visitors need adequate mobility to get off the ferry & walk some uneven shingle parts. Picnics are encouraged . There are no shop or eating facilities on the site.
So ecology is the main aim, in preservation and in the creation of new habitats. Reed marshes - a rare habitat-where marsh harriers are found- were extended by 2 hectares in 1997, while brackish lagoons were increased in 1998 and another 2 lagoons created in 2011
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