Blanquetaque marsh - RAMSAR site

Enhancement work on Blanquetaque marshes and Beauvisage meadows, started last November, is now complete.

This concerned the three areas named 7th renclôture; 5th renclôture and Beauvisage.

REVET Company, under the guidance of ECOSPHERE Consultancy, undertook ditch cleaning and banking work, the installation of hydraulic equipment and the plantation of a hedge of bushes.

Positive effects are already noticeable: ditch cleaning and localised land scraping have allowed the site to regain its water logging potential; the installation of a water regulating system (stop log type) makes it possible to control water with precision levels in the flooded areas.

Ecological studies have confirmed a significant increase in the number of visiting water birds to the site.

On 21st March, the following were counted:

• 473 wigeons,

• 28 gadwalls,

• 234 teals,

• 563 pintails,

• 535 shovelers,

• 357 golden plovers,

• 279 common snipes.

These operations reinforce the Somme Estuary nature reserve, which is the nucleus of the RAMSAR site, by completing the potential feeding grounds of birds.

The scientific team based at the Blanquetaque Chalet is currently working on improving its understanding of these interactions.

Jérôme Bignon

in Strasburg

7 years of friendly and efficient cooperation

The world wetlands day on 2nd February was the opportunity for sharing experiences regarding the management of threatened environments. This is why Jérôme Bignon was invited to share the Somme Estuary experience on this subject at a meeting on the merits of creating of a cross-border Ramsar site. This was a well-appreciated presentation which should give impetus to the local designation project



	Blanquetaque marsh - RAMSAR site

	Water is back



	Enhancement work on Blanquetaque marshes and Beauvisage meadows, started last November, is now complete. This concerned the three areas named 7th renclôture; 5th renclôture and Beauvisage. REVET Company, under the guidance of ECOSPHERE Consultancy, undertook ditch cleaning and banking work, the installation of hydraulic equipment and the plantation of a hedge of bushes. Positive effects are already noticeable: ditch cleaning and localised land scraping have allowed the site to regain its water logging potential; the installation of a water regulating system (stop log type) makes it possible to control water with precision levels in the flooded areas. Ecological studies have confirmed a significant increase in the number of visiting water birds to the site.
			On 21st March, the following were counted: • 473 wigeons, • 28 gadwalls, • 234 teals, • 563 pintails, • 535 shovelers, • 357 golden plovers, • 279 common snipes. These operations reinforce the Somme Estuary nature reserve, which is the nucleus of the RAMSAR site, by completing the potential feeding grounds of birds. The scientific team based at the Blanquetaque Chalet is currently working on improving its understanding of these interactions.