1. The Lincshore programme of beach nourishment provides an artificial supply of sand to the Lincolnshire Coast.  This is vital in terms of soft-engineering coastal defences, protecting lives and property.  The effects of this scheme on the Gibraltar Point cSAC are not fully understood.  Detailed research by Environment Agency contractors has been encouraged by the Trust. (See also features 02 and 03).  The nourishment material imported during the first phase is somewhat coarser than the existing material.  The calcium carbonate content is slightly reduced.

2.  Embryo dunes generally take the form of small mounds or ridges, where windblown sand has accumulated around the strandline.  During spring tides, the large expanse of beach plain exposed at low tide provides the potential for much sand to dry and blow.  Given an adequate supply of sand and onshore winds, the embryo dunes will continue to build although complete erosion or re- shaping may also be attributable to the wind as well as tidal submersion during spring tides.  In Compt 1/11/D due East of the ‘Sleeper Track’, a classic series of mobile/embryonic dunes has been developing since at least the early 1990’s.  The build-up here culminated in the series of dunelets amalgamating to form a ridge, almost linking the original Outer Ridge (compt 1/11/C) with the Lyme Ridge (compt 1/12/A).  To the south, a new series of embryo dunes is developing over coarse shingle; an area of previously high shorebird productivity.  Rising sea level and sediment supply are the two main factors influencing the development of further embryo dunes and their favourable conservation status.

3.  Onshore winds on dry conditions can lead to sand-blow and extensive dune building. Conversely, strong north- easterly winds coincidental with low pressure and spring tides can cause widespread erosion on the foredunes.

4.  Occasional problems arise with visitors removing driftwood for making fires in the dunes.

5.  Periodically, beach litter clearances are carried out to remove synthetic items which may constitute a hazard to wildlife or the public or spoil the aesthetics of the site.  Most problematic are plastics and containers resulting from marine vessels.  Sewage- related debris has also constituted a problem, but this situation appears to have improved somewhat since the mid 1990’s.

 

6.  Colonisation of these frontal dunes is typically limited to sand couch Elymus farctus with occasional patches of lyme grass Leymus arenarius.  The first flowering plants to colonise, include sea sandwort Honkenya peploides and sea rocket Cakile maritima.  An assemblage of notable coastal moths depend upon the aforementioned plants; including the lyme grass Photedes elymi, sand dart Agrostis ripae, white- line dart Euxoa tritici and coast dart Euxoa cursoria.  Strandline flora is typically sparse, but in patches, prickly saltwort can be extensive.  Its seeds are washed up by the tide and it relies upon the decomposition of strandline debris for nutrients.  It is the foodplant for the nationally scarce pyralid, Gymnancyla canella.

7.  The large percentage of dry sand on the frontal dunes is exploited by a range of specialist invertebrates.  The strandlines which develop at the base of such dunes are also important for invertebrates, many of which feed and shelter under the flotsam and jetsam. Sandhoppers are abundant here and pseudoscorpions may be found under some of the larger pieces of driftwood (see also factor 4).

8.  Meadow pipit Anthus pratensis and skylark Alauda arvensis nest amongst the tufts of sand couch.  Small numbers of ringed plover Charadius hiaticula may also nest in this habitat.  Many ground-nesting birds will be afforded some protection within the shorebird sanctuary area.  Elsewhere, damage or disturbance may occur through trampling, kite-flying or dog activity.