New conservation status has just been awarded to Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay by the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). By official notice dated March 30, the coastal strip broadly from Cliff End at Pett Level to Dungeness and part of St Mary’s Bay has now been included as a Special Protection Area (SPA) in the Register of European sites for the Conservation of Habitats and Species. The area covers 4000 hectares.
This SPA classification officially adopts an EC Directive which particularly affords wild birdlife protection and adds to the existing portfolio status of the area as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site). The term “land” incidentally includes land covered by water along the coast.
According to Natural England: “These designations place an obligation upon Government to promote the conservation of the site and take steps to avoid deterioration of the habitats as well as the species for which the area has been designated”. The wild bird population listed by Natural England in the SPA site includes Bewick’s swan, bittern, marsh and hen harriers in addition to other species as the little tern, with which the Nature Reserve is particularly associated. The statement continues:”As a whole, Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay are important for breeding and wintering waterbirds, birds of prey, passage warblers and breeding seabirds”.
The earlier designated Ramsar site recognised Dungeness and Rye Harbour as comprising the largest “cuspate” (low-lying triangular) foreland in Britain, forming part of a 40 km system of shingle barrier beaches and of three types of natural shingle wetlands: brackish/saline lagoons, freshwater pits and basin fens (non-forested peatlands).
Photo: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Image Credits: Rye Harbour Nature Reserve .