Creating and managing saline lagoons for birds

In order to achieve their full potential saline lagoons require careful management of water levels, salinity and vegetation. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds guide (available to download @ http://213.219.31.195/Images/5_33115.pdf) includes information on the following:

• Creation and design;
• Water level management;
• Salinity control;
• Vegetation management.

Creating saline lagoons for specialist invertebrates and plants

A second information sheet looks more specifically at invertebrate and plants interests (http://213.219.31.195/Images/5_34565.pdf). It includes comment on the following:

• Biodiversity importance of saline lagoons in the UK;
• Location and design;
• Establishment techniques;
• Long-term management considerations;
• European Union Life-Nature funding for Saline lagoon restoration.

Comment: If the above links don't work then the guides are available via the main RSPB web site at http://www.rspb.co.uk/wildlife/default.asp click on nature reserves; reserves management; habitats. The RSPB have been especially involved in creating habitat for the bittern.