Historic environment character
Extensive unimproved area of grazing marsh in the Blackwater Estuary between Salcott Creek and Tollesbury Fleet, to the south east of Salcott village. Reclamation is thought to have been in an advanced state by the late 16th century, but was piecemeal until the Chapman and Andre map of 1777 at which point it had reached its full extent. The sea walls have undergone a number of alterations. The marsh has large fleets, water filled creeks, relict salt marsh surface and raised causeways that cross the marsh. There nine or more mounds, which probably represent red hills, midden sites, two surviving duck decoy ponds, one of which is scheduled and sites of buildings (barns?), decoy house and a house can be identified on the 1st edition OS map. The marsh is crossed by a number of counter walls, which appear as raised earthworks. The borrow dykes have occasional causeways across. The marsh has a number of literary connections as well as a link to Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This is a complex, well preserved and well-studied historic environment.

Character of vegetation
High quality grazing marsh, mosaic of grassland, reedbed and riparian vegetation. Ditches dominated by Common reed Phragmites australis and Sea club-rush Scirpus maritimus. with some Brackish water-crowfoot Ranunculus baudotii in waterway in less saline areas; Saltmarsh rush Juncus gerardii, Beaked tasselweed Ruppia maritima and nationally rare Spiral tasselweed R. cirrhosa towards the central creek in more saline areas. Nationally rare species Divided sedge Carex divisa, Sea Barley Hordeum marinum and Slender hare’s ear Bupleurum tenuissimum along creek edges. Grassland dominated by Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera, Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne and Red fescue Festuca rubra with diverse herb assemblage including Spiny restharrow Ononis spinosa, Narrow-leaved bird’sfoot trefoil Lotus tenuis, nationally rare Sea clover Trifolium squamosum and Bird’s-foot clover Trifolium ornithopodioides. Two other notable nationally rare species, Mousetail Myosurus minimus and Red goosefoot Chenopodium botryodes occur on disturbed ground.

Threats
Well managed with water levels maintained. Threat from habitat creation/improvement.

Shoreline Management Plan
Managed Realignment proposed by 2055.