Rockcliffe Marsh
Rockcliffe Marsh is a salt marsh at the head of the Solway Firth, formed in a jut of land between the River Eden, Cumberland and Westmorland and the River Esk as they conjoin in the firth. It is part of Cumberland's long coast, though within hailing distance of the shore of Dumfriesshire across the Esk mouth.
The marsh is largely at sea level – the mean high tide line is drawn around the edges as the marsh appears mapped, but it is cut through with innumerable channels, many of them with foot bridges, and higher tides will cover the whole marsh. Beyond the mean high tide mark, the tidal flats double the size of the marsh at low tide, stretching out into the firth.
Bird life and conservation
This is considered an important habitat for wading birds: numerous species overwinter on the marsh and many more visit across the seasons.
The marsh has been declared a 'site of special scientific interest'[1] and a 'Special Protection Area', though now incorporated into the wider 'Upper Solway Flats and Marshes Special Protection Area'.[2]
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References
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