King's Marsh probably takes its name from Henry II (1154 - 1189), who built Orford Castle and may have drained the marshes.
In 1995 livestock grazing was reintroduced, under an EU LIFE-Nature project, to the central area after an absence of some 60 years. The aim of this re-introduction is to improve the range and suitability of the habitats for both flora and fauna.
Kings Marsh is former salt-marsh now enclosed by river walls and evidence of this can be seen in the many small creeks that still meander through the area. This marsh is still brackish due to periodic flooding from the sea during winter storms. The grazed pasture and raised water levels will provide the habitat to encourage both waders - particularly Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - and wildfowl, while the remaining ungrazed areas will continue to attract birds such as Short-eared owl (Asio flammeus).
In late 2000, the first phase of the strategy for river wall management in this marsh was completed. A 420m section of river wall, which had been identified as a potential breach risk during severe weather or exceptional tidal conditions, was repaired at a cost of £25,000. Clay was 'borrowed' from an adjacent area of marsh inside the wall and used to raise (0.6m) and widen (3m) the existing defence.
Concrete waste (from past projects and demolition works on the site) was broken into useable sizes - from small rubble to 3 tonne blocks - and placed as armour, behind existing wooden revetments, to protect the river face of the clay wall. The completed work, with continuing regular maintenance, should protect against a breach in this section of wall for up to 20 years (except in exceptional circumstances).
|
