RSPB Minsmere: Scrape enhancement

The objective of this project is to enhance the scrape at Minsmere by the rejuventation of existing islands, construction of new islands, constructing/removing/reprofiling bunds, installing new water control structures and creating variation in the topography of the bed of the lagoon.

To achieve this, 27 islands will be rejuvenated/created/enlarged, and 9 new sluices installed. 100m of new bund to be created, 220m removed and 400m built up. 620m³ reed rhizomes to be relocated. Spoil will be won from locations both inside and outside the scrape and which will have to be transported around the site (approx. 4168m³).

Details of how to apply in Tender document attached

Additional information: The aim of the project is the rejuvenation of the iconic Minsmere 'Scrape' to benefit a range of breeding and wintering birds. The Scrape is old: the lagoons lack topographical variation and there are large areas of 'dead ground' (e.g. lagoon edge and encroaching reedbed) that are unsuitable for use by key species. Islands available for breeding birds are very small and make up a small proportion of the total scrape area. Hydrological management of the lagoon is a challenge at present and causes disturbance to wildlife, especially during the breeding season. There is a need to modify these and install new structures to increase hydrological flexibility in flooding and draining the lagoons and achieving optimum salinity.

The project will make improvements to 24 ha of lagoon, by rejuvenating and enlarging islands, improving hydrological control and increasing the amount of lagoon habitat. Larger, remodelled islands will provide more nesting habitat for Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis, Common Tern S. hirundo, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus and Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus. The topography of the larger islands will vary, with some higher areas sloping down into lower areas to allow more island to become exposed as the water level draws down over the breeding season. In general, these lower areas will be tilted towards the hides to maximise opportunity for the birds to be observed. It will also ensure a muddy feeding edge for wader chicks throughout the season. It will be important to work closely with RSPB staff throughout the creation of these islands to ensure that they are fit for purpose.

The project will be carried out over three years, starting in the autumn of 2021. The ideal working window for this each year is end of Aug - mid November. This is due to nesting birds in the spring and early summer and the ground conditions which can deteriorate rapidly from mid-November, or earlier if we have a wet autumn.