Keyhaven, Pennington, Oxey and Normandy Marshes facts for kids
The Keyhaven, Pennington, Oxey and Normandy Marshes are special areas of land in Hampshire, England. They are also known as the North Solent Marshes. These marshes are made of saltmarsh, which is land that is sometimes covered by salty seawater. They are located near towns like Keyhaven, Pennington, and Lymington. These marshes are very important for nature and are part of a larger protected area called the Hurst Castle and Lymington River Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest.
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History of the Marshes
Long ago, these marshes were used to make salt. People would collect salty water in special ponds called salterns. Then, they would let the sun dry out the water, leaving the salt behind. This salt industry was very busy here!
The first mention of these salt-making areas was in 1132. People continued to make salt here until 1865. After that, some parts were used for growing oysters. Today, these areas are mostly marshland again, with some old banks still visible. You can still see a small circular mound, which is all that is left of an old mill. There is also another mound with an old brick building and a pond. Just north of the marshes, in Lower Pennington, you can find some old buildings from the 1700s where they used to boil seawater to get salt.
A Home for Wildlife
The marshes are a very important place for nature. They are recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means they are protected because of their special plants, animals, and landscapes.
These marshes are also part of the famous New Forest National Park. In the summer, you might see cattle and ponies grazing here. These animals belong to local people called commoners.
Protected Areas
Parts of the marshes are protected even more strictly. Some areas behind the sea wall are a National Nature Reserve. This part is looked after by English Nature. Other parts are a local nature reserve, managed by Hampshire County Council. Even the muddy areas that are covered by the tide, known as the intertidal muds, are a nature reserve.
Wildlife You Might See
The marshes and muddy areas offer many different homes for wildlife. They are especially important for birds.
- In spring and summer, you can see many gulls and terns.
- In autumn and winter, lots of wading birds and wildfowl come here.
At Pennington Marshes, there are also several lagoons, which are like small lakes. Fishtail Lagoon is at the western end, and Butts Lagoon is to the east. These lagoons are just inside the sea wall.
Sometimes, very rare birds visit the marshes. These are called "vagrant" birds because they have wandered far from their usual homes. For example, a stilt sandpiper was seen here in 2002, and a lesser sand plover in 2003.
Images for kids
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Cattle grazing on Normandy Marsh
