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Our work here
Titchwell Marsh is specially protected as part of the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural beauty.
The RSPB has helped create a mosaic of wetland and coastal habitats on the reserve in order to attract a diversity of bird species. These include nationally important numbers of avocets, bearded tits, marsh harriers and bitterns, and internationally important populations of wintering waders.
We are working to keep these habitats in good condition, and also to provide a key visitor attraction and a good example of our management practices.
Reedbed success
Our freshwater reedbed is important for threatened wildlife such as bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and water voles.
In 2005 our three-year project to rehabilitate the reedbed for bitterns proved successful when the first pair bred on the reserve for 18 years.
Living lagoons
We are managing the freshwater lagoon and its islands for the benefit of breeding and wintering waders and wildfowl, among other wildlife.
We are also managing the brackish marsh as a saline lagoon. This provides suitable breeding conditions for avocets, as well as feeding grounds for other waders and wildfowl.
Natural habitats
We are allowing natural processes to maintain other coastal habitats, including saltmarsh, shingle and sand dunes. This provides habitat for a variety of birds, including wintering brent geese and wigeon, breeding little terns and redshanks, and high tide wader roosts.
We are also managing woodland and grassland areas around the reserve for their wildlife.
Rising tide
The coastline at Titchwell is eroding and we know that the site is becoming more vulnerable to damage caused by surge tides and storms. The RSPB is working to ensure the freshwater habitats are protected and will continue to support species such as the bittern and bearded tit.
We are examining options for flood defences at the seaward end of the reserve and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.
Reaching people
Titchwell is one of the most-visited RSPB reserves. We will continue to maintain and improve our facilities. We will also use the reserve to demonstrate our management practices, and will continue to develop our positive relationships with key audiences and local communities.
How you can help
Join the RSPB and support our work.
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