Saltern Wetlands

Prior to 2014 this site comprised rather uninteresting wet fields, and rarely attracted many birds.

In 2014, the Greatham Creek high tide bank was breached in 2 places to allow sea water to flow onto this area, and the Saltern Wetlands was created.

It is situated immediately to the North of Greatham Creek and to the West of the A178 where it goes over the Creek, about mid-way between Seaton Carew and Port Clarence.

The easiest access is to park in the Cowpen Marsh car park, NZ507252, then walk North along the path that goes to Greatham Creek, cross the bridge and the entire area is visible to the North West. Two small parking areas on the roadside just North of the Creek bridge allow closer access to the area or for the adventurous, walking East from the railway crossing, NZ498268, at Greatham Village is a quieter but longer walk through a farmyard and onto the inland end of the area. The old Greatham Tip is in the SW corner of the area, not far from the farmyard, and has had numbers of Short-eared Owls here over the years. If starting from Greatham Creek/A178 bridge, the new high tide retaining wall is the easiest option, allowing viewing across the newly tidal area, and eventually reaching the farm at the inland end.

The area gets many more birds than it did, including flocks of Lapwing, Curlew, Teal, Wigeon, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Avocet, and a Spotted Redshank has wintered here since the area was created. Naturally, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier and Buzzard hunt over the area at times.

Two small freshwater ponds were created at the same time, between the railway line and the inland end of the tidal area, and have had Red-necked Grebe and Little Ringed Plover on them.
The farmyard has held Little Owl and Yellow Wagtail in recent years.