The project is restoring an intertidal island at Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve, near Trimley St Mary in south-east Suffolk. The reserve is managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and provides important habitat for a wide range of wildlife, particularly wetland and migratory birds.

Approximately 8,000 cubic metres of sand and gravel sediment - equivalent to around three Olympic-sized swimming pools - will be carefully spread across an existing island to restore and enhance the habitat and make it more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The material will be transferred to the island during routine maintenance dredging of the River Orwell channel by Harwich Haven Authority.

Once complete, the restored island will provide valuable nesting, roosting and feeding habitat for birds including lapwing, redshank, godwit, and teal. 

Trimley Marshes was established in 1990 to offset the loss of Fagbury Mudflats caused by the expansion Port of Felixstowe, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust led the creation of the nature reserve. Since that time, the Trust has continued to manage the site for wildlife and local people on behalf of The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company.

The Orwell Estuary is internationally important for wildlife and forms part of the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA). The SPA supports globally significant populations of overwintering birds and regularly supports at least 20,000 waterfowl.

Many of Suffolk's wildlife habitats face pressures from development, changes in land use and a changing climate. Projects such as this can help restore and enhance habitats while making beneficial use of sediment from essential dredging operations.

Andrew Excell, Marine & Estuary Programme Manager at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: “This is an excellent example of nature and industry working together. This project demonstrates how dredging operations for commercial shipping can be used to help local estuarine and coastal wildlife habitats.

“The Orwell estuary is internationally important for its overwintering bird numbers, and this type of habitat enhancement will really benefit birds during the colder winter months when they need safe space to roost.

“It will also provide excellent breeding habitat in spring and summer months for wading birds. We’re delighted to be partnering with Harwich Haven Authority on this project and are excited to witness and record the uptake by many birds on the restored habitat this autumn and winter onwards.”

Jim Warner, Harbour Engineer at Harwich Haven Authority, added: “The Trimley island was created by Harwich Haven Authority in 2005 as a habitat feature for estuarine birds, so it’s particularly rewarding to be able to work with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to build on that investment and strengthen its value for wildlife. 

"This project is also part of something much bigger. We’ve already completed the first phase of BUDS work at Levington Creek and Copperas Bay, where early monitoring is showing some really encouraging results, and we’re preparing for the next phase at the Blackwater Estuary.

“Taken together, these projects demonstrate the scale of what BUDS can achieve – finding practical ways to use the material arising from essential dredging to support the resilience of the Haven’s natural environment, while continuing to maintain the safe and navigable channels that are vital to the region.”

Dutch contractors Boskalis Westminster Ltd and local-based Amicus Civil Engineering are delivering the project on the ground. The works began early September and are expected to be completed by October, ahead of the winter roosting season.