Halvergate Marshes facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Norfolk |
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| Coordinates | 52°35′17″N 1°36′54″E / 52.588°N 1.615°E |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1,430.13 hectares (14.30 km2; 5.52 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1995 |
The Halvergate Marshes are a special area of grazing marsh in Norfolk, a county in England. They are part of The Broads, a famous network of rivers and lakes. These marshes are found between the River Bure and the River Yare, and they touch Breydon Water to the east. The marshes cover about 26 square kilometres (10 square miles). A large part of this area, about 14 square kilometres (5.5 square miles), is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it is a protected place because of its important wildlife. Some parts are also protected as Local Nature Reserves and Ramsar sites, which are special places for birds and wetlands.
Contents
History of Halvergate Marshes
From Estuary to Grazing Land
Long ago, during Roman times, Halvergate Marshes was an estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea. It stayed a tidal creek, meaning it was affected by the tides, until the Middle Ages. By the time of the Domesday Book, a very old survey from 1086, the land was already used for grazing sheep. Halvergate was recorded as having 960 sheep, more than any other marsh area. There is also some proof that people might have made salt here.
About 400 years ago, people started to drain the land. They used windpumps, also called windmills, and special ditches to remove water. This turned the wet land into grazing marsh, which was perfect for sheep and cattle. Sometimes, it was used for growing crops. However, coastal flooding in the 1780s stopped this.
Protecting the Marshes
In the 1960s and 70s, farming methods changed. Farmers started ploughing the land for crops. This damaged the ditches and the natural environment. More draining happened in the 1980s. This caused many animals and plants to lose their homes, called habitats.
Because of this, in 1981, a large area of 1430 hectares (about 3,500 acres) was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This helped protect it. In 1985, several groups worked together to create a plan. This plan gave money to farmers to use methods that were better for the environment. This led to the first Environmentally Sensitive Area in the UK being set up at Halvergate Marshes in 1987. This idea then spread to other parts of the country.
Old Windmills of the Marshes
You can see many old windpumps scattered across the marshes. Many of them no longer have their sails or even their tops. These structures were used to pump water out of the marshes. They worked before modern motor or diesel pumps were invented. Some of the best-preserved ones include Stracey Arms Mill on the River Bure. Others are Lockgate Mill, Mutton's Mill, and the Berney Arms Windmill. The Berney Arms Windmill is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it is a very important historical site.
Geography of Halvergate Marshes
Location and Landscape
Halvergate Marshes is the biggest area of traditional grazing marsh in The Broads. The land here is very flat and low-lying. Much of it is at or even below sea level. Breydon Water forms the eastern edge of the marshes. The River Yare separates this area from similar marshlands to the south.
The villages of Reedham, Wickhampton, and Halvergate are on higher ground. They form the western edge of the marshes. The town of Acle is at the far north-west. The River Bure and the Acle Straight road make up the northern edge. The protected Site of Special Scientific Interest is mainly south of the Halvergate Fleet waterway and Halvergate village.
Life on the Marshes
This area does not have many people living in it. There are only a few isolated farms spread across the marshes. However, it might have had more people during the Middle Ages. Berney Arms is home to Berney Arms railway station. This is one of the most isolated train stations in England. At one point, it had up to 11 houses where people lived. The RSPB Berney Marshes nature reserve is also part of this area. Two walking paths, the Weavers' Way and Wherryman's Way, cross the marshes.
Wildlife of Halvergate Marshes
Plants and Habitats
Halvergate Marshes has many different types of habitats. Besides grazing marsh, you can find areas of natural grassland, wet fen meadows, and reed beds. There are also areas of alder carr, which is a type of wet woodland. A strip of woodland runs along the western side of the marshes.
The drainage ditches that crisscross the marshes are very important for nature. They are home to many different plants and invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without backbones, like insects. These ditches have both freshwater and brackish water. Brackish water is a mix of fresh and salty water.
Special Plants in the Ditches
The freshwater ditches are mostly on the western side of the protected area. They are considered very important around the world. Here you can find plants like broad-leaved pondweed and water violet. There is also the rare whorled water milfoil. Other ditches have plants like the rare water soldier, fen pondweed, and water parsnip. The ditches near Breydon Water are more brackish. They have plants like soft hornwort and the rare stiff saltmarsh grass.
Insects and Birds
Many interesting invertebrate species live in the drainage ditches. These include the rare Norfolk hawker dragonfly and the great silver water-beetle. A large hoverfly called Lejops vittatus also lives here.
Many birds can be seen on Halvergate Marshes. In winter, you might see Bewick's swan, golden plover, and lapwing. These swans are especially important, as the population here is recognized globally. In spring and summer, birds like ruff, gadwall, and shoveler breed here. The marshes and nearby Breydon Water are also important stopping points for many bird species during their autumn migration.
Management of Halvergate Marshes
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) plays a big part in looking after the marshes. They work with other environmental groups. These include Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, and the Broads Authority. Farmers also work with these groups. For example, they help to fix and restore the drainage ditches and dykes. This helps to support the many different plants and animals that live on the marshes.
