Pagham Harbour
The RSPB manages the foreshore at Pagham Beach (i.e. below high tide mark) from a wildlife and byelaw perspective but not the SSSI on top of the beach, and they have no authority for coastal flood risk management. They support all of the authorities' efforts to engage with local people to find a solution that protects wildlife and people.
Pagham Rife: The RSPB are working with the Environment Agency to help them produce an information sheet about how they manage Pagham Rife, and will help make that available once complete.
Pagham Visitor Centre uplift: Plans have been drawn up for the short-term uplift of the Visitor Centre's internal space. Tenders are going out and the planning process has begun. This process takes up to 8 weeks, so it is likely that the works will take place during March and the RSPB are hopeful that they will be completed by Easter. They are aiming to make access better for wheelchair users, give the staff and volunteers an improved working space, and lower some of the windows in the Centre to allow visitors on a cold or wet day to sit in the warm and enjoy the views out to the bird feeders. Unfortunately the work will require the Centre to be closed for a short while, but the toilets will be open throughout, and will benefit from the addition of baby changing facilities.
Volunteer vacancies: There are plenty of opportunities to get involved at Pagham Harbour, and volunteers help us with a wide variety of tasks from work parties to teaching. We are currently in need of volunteers to carry out Breeding Bird Surveys. Do you have reasonable bird identification skills, both by song and sight, and will you be available for 2-3 hours a fortnight from April to early July? If so and you would like to get involved in our work for wildlife get in touch on the number at the bottom of this update and Roger, Pagham Harbour's Volunteer Coordinator (a volunteer himself!), will be in touch.
Forthcoming events: There are always organised events and activities going on at Pagham Harbour. Coming up:
Sat 9th Feb 10.30am to 1pm Wildfowl & Wader Walk
Sat 16 Feb 10am start Mammal Tracks & Signs (guided walk led by Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group)
Thurs 21 Feb 1pm to 3pm Wild Goose Chase! (a fun family trail)
Sat 16 March 10am to 1.30pm Winter Birdwatching Workshop
Sat 16 March 10am start Mind the Gap! (walk along the spit led by Manhood Wildlife & Heritage Group)
For more information or to book your place call 01243 641508.
If you have an issue or question for the RSPB, please email them on pagham.harbour@rspb.org.uk, or ring 01243 641508.
Nature and Conservation
The peninsula contains several internationally important nature conservation areas (see wildlife page). Extensive consultation took place to examine how the environmental character of the Manhood could be enhanced by the Medmerry managed realignment scheme and how it could benefit the local population, through sensitive management of habitat and tourism. The scheme has been successfully completed and is now managed... Read More»
Coastal Management
A large part of the Manhood Peninsula is less than 5m above sea level and at risk from flooding, both inland and coastal. It is likely that climate change will increase this risk, through rising sea levels, rising water tables and increased precipitation intensity. Drainage is an increasing problem on the peninsula as the existing ditches are proving inadequate... Read More»
Environment
The Manhood Peninsula Partnership was formed in recognition of the challenges the peninsula faces as a result of climate change and the increasing demands on its environment. By recognising the different issues the area faces, its assets and possibilities, and by valuing its distinct and almost unique character on the south coast, the MPP hopes to create opportunities and... Read More»