What is the SSSI?

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In 1987 the government designated the area between Cuckoo Corner and the footbridge in the centre of Shoreham to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

“The Adur Estuary, together with Rye Harbour further to the east, represent the only significant areas of saltmarsh between Chichester and Pagham Harbours in West Sussex, and Sandwich Bay in Kent.”

A SSSI is an area deemed to be so important for wildlife that it has special protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. To knowingly disturb wildlife or plants on the reserve is actually a criminal offence.

The area is crucial for hungry birds stopping to feed on their long migrations in spring and autumn, some of which are thousands of miles. 

Spring migration can last from January to June, and autumn migration may last from August to December! In other words, the estuary has no periods in the year where it is not being used as a refuelling station. Year-round care is necessary to avoid disturbing feeding birds.

Disturbance of a feeding or roosting bird may not seem like much, but it may mean the bird becomes too exhausted to feed, may not finish its journey, may not be in good enough health to breed, and may ultimately die prematurely.