Cattawade Bridge Marsh (EHER 48498)

An area of ‘improved’ grazing marsh located at the point where the River Stour joins the Stour Estuary on the Suffolk/Essex border. A sea wall and borrow dyke demarcate the sub-rectangular area of marsh, with straight linear drainage ditches characterising the interior. The location of a field barn identified on the 1st edition OS map remains in use. The grazing marsh retains a good diversity of flora.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: The marshland was reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1>. It is surrounded by a sea wall and borrow dyke, which appears to have been breached and repaired in at least two places. Internally the marsh is divided by straight drainage ditches. A modern barn is located on the site of agricultural buildings shown on the 1st edition OS map <2>. A raised track-way leading onto the marsh was reportedly constructed during the 20th century out of building waste. A lock on the former Stour Valley Navigation is located immediately to the north. Monitoring during habitat creation revealed no features of archaeological interest. The marsh is now an RSPB reserve. Character of vegetation: Good quality grazing marsh dominated by Couch Elymus spp., Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne and Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus. Grass Vetchling Lathyrus nissolia, Hairy buttercup Ranunculus sardous, Marsh foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus, Celery-leaved buttercup Ranunculus sceleratus, Sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus and Spear-leaved oracle atriplex prostrate all also frequent. Sea club-rush and Common reed Phragmites australis dominant in ditches. Threats: The marsh is now an RSPB nature reserve so potential for impacts from habitat creation. Shoreline Management Plan Hold the line to 2105. See <3>.