Here it comes again! Saltmarsh plant has begun to colonise beach near new lifeboat house

 

The newly-emergent saltmarsh growth near the lifeboat house is providing welcome feeding habitat for  redshank and egrets   

WORK on constructing a new lifeboat house in Cleethorpes has had an unexpected consequence.

Piling and other works have transformed what was previously a sandy beach to mud.

And this has resulted in emergence of cordgrass - the  saltmarsh plant familiar because of its extensive presence to the south of the leisure centre.

Not everyone is a fan of saltmarsh, with many preferring sand.

But in favour of cordgrass it does now blow hither and thither in high winds. Furthermore it provides habitat for certain shorebird species and soaks up carbon from the atmosphere.

Other parts of central beach to the north of the leisure centre are routinely cleared of plantlife by North East Lincolnshire Council, but no decision as yet been made on whether to do likewise with the latest growth once the lifeboat house has been completed 

The lifeboat house is now nearing completion - but will the cordgrass be allowed to remain and thrive?