Cress Marsh

Good point, Joy.

You can read all about the event on the Royal Town Planning Institute website and the NELC website Latest News page.

On the former, there is info about the other entries on the shortlist, past winners and the 2020 judging panel (none of whom, as far as I can make out, seems to be a naturalist).

I couldn’t find anything specific about the criteria and the assessment process.

It would be interesting to know what use - if any - was made in NELC’s entry submission of data supplied by you, Joy, and other LBC members such as Jon, Nick, Martin and others.

Based on the unimpressive (so far) performance of Cress Marsh in attracting birds, some may think the submission was premature.

But if the NELC entry wins, it will probably generate a load both of publicity and visitors.

Potentially that could be favourable but somewhat embarrassing if birders turn up in droves only to find the car park locked and no more birdlife on site than a few woodpigeons and a solitary pied wagtail.

The award announcements/ ceremony is on April 30.

Will Cress Marsh’s species list have reached 100 by then?

That is good to hear and very encouraging. It will be interesting as Joy says, to know the criteria needed to be included for this award.
Whatever it is though, its a positive step forward. It certainly proves that LCC are serious enough about the project. Maybe an email to Rachel congratulating her on this success?
I am hoping we loose this bad weather/wind soon and see what Spring brings and how Cress will develop over the next few months. I certainly hope the main lagoon drops to a more natural level, and the scrapes re appear.

That’s good news indeed. I would be interested to know what the criteria used to measure ‘success’ are, though.

Partly doubtless thanks to the recording work of Joy, Jon, Nick and other LBC members, North East Lincolnshire Council believes the Cress Marsh project has been enough of a success to justify entering it for a national environmental/ planning award.

What is more the submission has reached the final six which will be judged at a posh awards ceremony in London in April!

It will be great if it wins - but, on a slightly cynical note, even greater if it attracts a few more birds.

As Jon says, we need to be patient.

I think we need to be patient. The site has existed for less than a year and is still establishing itself. As the vegetation growth increases and water levels start to fall, I'm sure the site will further improve.

The surrounding areas showing promise but the lagoon continuing to disappoint. Considering this is where the hide view concentrates we can only hope it improves as the weather warms.