Stour Estuary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Stour Estuary

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of Search	Essex Suffolk
Interest	Biological Geological
Area	2,523 hectares
Notification	2003
Location map	Magic Map

The Stour Estuary is a huge natural area covering 2,523 hectares (about 6,234 acres) in Essex and Suffolk, England. It stretches all the way from Manningtree to Harwich. This special place is recognized for its amazing plants, animals, and ancient rocks.

It's not just important locally; the Stour Estuary is also a globally recognized wetland called a Ramsar site. It's also a Special Protection Area for birds and part of the beautiful Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Discover the Stour Estuary!

The Stour Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for its wildlife and geology. Parts of the estuary are looked after by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). There's also a small area called Wrabness Nature Reserve, which is a Local Nature Reserve managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. These groups help protect the estuary's natural treasures.

What Makes the Estuary Special?

The Stour Estuary is incredibly important for many reasons. It's a vital spot for nature, especially for birds and ancient geological features.

A Home for Wildlife

This estuary is a national hotspot for birds, especially in winter. Thirteen different types of wildfowl (like ducks and geese) spend their winters here. Three other bird species also stop by during their autumn travels.

You can often spot birds like redshank, black-tailed godwit, and dunlin feeding in the muddy areas. The estuary also has important coastal saltmarshes and sheltered muddy shores. These habitats are home to rare marine creatures, including two types of scarce invertebrates (animals without backbones). You might also find some rare plants growing here.

Under the water, the estuary supports nationally important sponges, ascidians (also known as sea squirts), and different kinds of red algae.

Ancient Earth Stories

The Stour Estuary is also a fantastic place for geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. There are special geological sites in Wrabness, Stutton, and Harwich. These sites are like open books, telling us about Earth's past.

In Harwich, scientists have found thirty layers of ash. These ash layers date back to a time called the Eocene epoch. They are part of the Harwich Formation and the London Clay layers. These layers show us what the Earth was like millions of years ago.

At Wrabness, you can find the most complete set of ash layers. These layers show how important volcanoes were in southern England during the early Eocene period. It's like a timeline of ancient volcanic activity!

In Stutton, there are amazing fossils from the mid-Pleistocene epoch. This was a time when many large mammals roamed the Earth. Scientists have found fossils of extinct animals like straight-tusked elephants, mammoths, and even giant deer! These fossils help us understand what life was like long, long ago.

Who Looks After the Estuary?

The Stour Estuary is protected by several important designations. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique biology and geology. It's also a Ramsar site, which means it's a wetland of international importance. Plus, it's a Special Protection Area for birds and a Nature Conservation Review site. These designations help ensure the estuary's future is safe for both wildlife and people to enjoy.