|  | The Exe estuary is being used as an international pilot project to test ways of improving conditions for rare wading birds.
Global warming and the rise in sea levels around the world means traditional habitats are disappearing.
The RSPB is looking at ways of providing new places for the birds to live.
In December 2004 it installed a self regulating tide gate on its estuary nature reserve at Goosemoor, near Topsham.
At first sight the area looks like little more than a mud bank, but it's the first time the pioneering piece of engineering has been used to create a wildlife habitat in the UK.
The gate will be instrumental in recreating an intertidal salt marsh of which there is a shortage on the Exe.
The aim is to give wading birds a better habitat and a more secure future as global warming causes the sea to rise removing existing wetlands.
 | | The new tidal gate is self regulating. |
Jane Brookhouse from the RSPB has helped oversee a project, which has cost £80,000. "We think this is going to be extremely important in the future because due to climate change these habitats such as salt marsh and intertidal mud are going to be squeezed out by rising sea levels." It's hoped that avocets, which already spend the winter on the Exe, may stay to breed along with other waders like redshank.
Brent geese and black-tailed godwits are already benefiting from the new habitat.
RSPB site manager Malcolm Davies said: "It's recognised that this is a valuable habitat in which birds will be able to feed, roost and hopefully, eventually breed.
"If we can demonstrate that this sort of structure will work, we believe they have the potential to be used in many more sites around the country to recreate wildlife rich wetlands."
 | | The saltmarsh was lost from this part of the river 160 years ago. |
The salt marsh which is being re-created here disappeared in 1840 after it was drained for agriculture.
These days environmentalists say they're learning to work with nature rather than fight it.
The tidal nature of the River Clyst near Exeter makes this the ideal location to try out this type of technology.
Unlike conventional sluice gates, the gate operates automatically without the need for electricity or other fuel.
The barrier works on a very simple principle - with the aid of two floats, which enable it to open and close independently rather like the toilet cistern in your house. This site is a test bed for the RSPB . If things work well here the idea will used in other parts of the country.
And there's every hope that with the creation of a new cycle route around the Exe, this area will be opened up to many more people who'll be able to take a closer look at this very special environment.
The project has been jointed funded by the RSPB, the Environment Agency, English Nature and DEFRA.
Article first published: 18th December 2004 |
