East Anglia’s ‘The Wash’ (a haven for migrating birds)
The Wash is likely a term that you’ve heard, about some body of water or another in East Anglia? Actually, it’s England’s largest Bay (followed by Morecambe Bay in Cumbria/Lancashire).
Never disturb coastal or wading birds, keep at least 100ft away, and keep dogs on leads (disturbance could cause them to abandon nests). Flying off from us, also wastes energy that could be used for feeding.
The Wash can also be home to quicksand, so avoid walking on areas with warning signs. Read our post on keeping safe near sinking mud. Also read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
This is a birding paradise, with hundreds of thousands of birds migrating here, to and from the Arctic, Siberia and Africa. In particular sanderlings (above), knots and redshanks. Under the water are coral-forming worms, cockles, starfish and crabs.
Where Exactly is the Wash?
The Wash is a square-shaped bay and estuary on the East Coast, where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire (just above). It’s home to some of the best saltmarshes and mudflats in England, fed by the rivers Witham, Welland, Nene and Great Ouse.
Freiston’s sea wall has been adapted to increase the saltmarshes to give more habitats for wading birds, and also acts as a natural flood prevention measure.
