Tidal surge floods most of reserve
The reserve looks very different today after the tidal surge breached our sea wall and flooded into our fields yesterday. Most of the reserve is now under water, which made for great views of waders from the Avenue Tower after the high tide yesterday.
The tide surrounded the Saltcot Merse Observatory, leaving a few visitors stranded on a island surrounded by flocks of Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Plovers!
The Saltcot Loaning was under 3ft of water, and spilling out into the fields either side. We rescued the visitors along the top of the banking, with just a small paddle through one of the flooded fields.
The northern part of the reserve flooded from the Lochar Water when the sea wall was breached, and now the Flood Ground and Lochar Field are completely submerged.
All of our hides are open today, but wellies are essential for getting to the Saltcot Merse Observatory and Newfields Hide in the Peter Scott Trail.
The Barnacle Geese are grouping in massive flocks on the 'dry' areas of the fields.
There is another high tide at 2pm today, 10.1m again, but without the wind. This could still cause some flooding, and may still cut off the Saltcot Merse Observatory like yesterday, so take care if you come down.
