Steeple Marsh (EHER 48449)

An area of slightly ‘improved’ grassland located on the interface between the dryland and Marsh 33.4 on the south bank of the Blackwater Estuary. A sea wall survives on the north-eastern edge of the area, and sinuous drainage ditch bisects the area, draining via a sluice into Steeple Creek. A modern farm reservoir intrudes into this area.

2014. Historic Grazing Marsh Project. Historic environment character: It is thought that the marsh was reclaimed by the time of the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 <1> and the drainage pattern of a single sinuous drainage ditch with sluice at the end remains unchanged. Sinuous creeks associated with earlier grazing marsh are visible at the south western end on the aerial photographs and there are also faint traces of stetch. There are no known archaeological remains from this area. Character of vegetation: Creek running through area dominated by Sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus, with Water pepper Polygonum hydropiper and Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum also occurring. North of the holding pond the field is dominated by Sea couch Elymus pycnanthis, Meadow grass Poa spp. and Festuca Festuca spp. South of the holding pond dominated by Sea Couch, Cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata and Meadow grasses with scattered Sea Aster Aster tripolium and Glassworts Salicornia in wet areas. Thistle Cirsium spp. frequent. Threats: Biodiversity – Threatened by lack of traditional management. The marsh and its neighbours are threatened by Managed Realignment proposed for 2055. See <2>.