Monitoring: factors
1 - Unvegetated shingle ridges

      RV20/1-List/collect/commission photographs aerial - Survey by aerial photography
Photographs have been obtained in 2000 from Environment Agency with particular regard to the beach nourishment project. Seek update at least once during plan period to allow changing geomorphological patterns to be followed and establish position on net accretion or erosion of coastal habitats.
Aerial photographs are necessary to allow changes to physical extent of features such as dune grassland/scrub community to be assessed. Accurate measurements for intertidal flats will pend the timing of the survey in relation to the time and state of tide.
Survey change in patterns of saltmarsh pan and creek development.

      RP42/1-Collect data, pedological, survey - Survey substrate
Mud/sand composition. Composition of silts and sands in intertidal zone, will influence colonisation by varied invertebrate communities. In turn, this will determine the value of the feeding grounds for various species of wader.
Substrate survey needs to establish the baseline extent of the resource and proportions of the varied sediment type eg sand and gravels, muddy sand and mud. Additionally, EN monitoring through the SAC monitoring protocols may provide information concerning sediment organic content, penetrability and depth/extent of oxidation layer.
Quality of shingle. Coarse grade shingle is selected for nesting site by little tern and ringed plover. As the sand content increases, the likelihood of colonisation by vegetation increases and suitability of nesting habitat is reduced. Survey work is required to document optimum shingle grade for nesting little terns.
The Trust needs to be kept informed of ongoing survey work carried out by EA contractors, for the beach nourishment scheme. Particle size analysis, calcium carbonate content and benthic communities are of particular importance for the full range of coastal habitats.
Collect information concerning natural sediment supply, particularly shingle, which is excluded from the nourishment scheme.
Ammophila dunes. Survey extent of open sand as constituent of Ammophila dune feature.
Fixed dune with herbaceous vegetation. Survey extent of bare sand as constituent of fixed dune feature.

2 - Food supply

      RM92/1-Collect data, marine fauna other, survey - Survey prey species for important bird populations
Collect data on key prey species for little terns (sand-eels and brown shrimp) and wader populations (shellfish, crustacea etc). Annual survey results from Eastern Sea Fisheries/CEFAS and Environment Agency contractors.
Supplementary information from surveys by Dennis Hill and student courses.

3 - Predators

      RA90/1-Collect data, fauna - Survey shorebird predators
Observations of predator activity will determine the need for control to safeguard important populations of breeding shorebirds. Fox and corvids are chief predators.

4 - Disturbance

      RH36/1-Collect data, public use, unplanned/undesirable activities -  Record undesirable events
Record all byelaw infringements in unsavoury events log at Sykes Farm.
* Intertidal mud and sand flats: Bait-digging, angling and horse riders, dogs on beach during April-Sept. Any disturbance incidents to feeding waders and wildfowl.
* Unvegetated shingle ridges: Trials bikes, ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Beach ferry activity. Egg collectors and unauthorised entry into shorebird sanctuary. Any disturbance incidents to wader roosts. Marine traffic eg speedboats and jet-skis may also cause considerable disturbance to roosting waders.
* Shifting dunes with Ammophila: naturist activity, fires etc.
* Atlantic salt-meadows: Samphire-gathering, trials bikes, mountain bikes, ATV's and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Any disturbance to feeding or roosting waders/wildfowl. Monitor yacht club activities/impact along saltmarsh and river bank and extent of erosion on New Saltmarsh track.
* Grey dunes and scrub: flower picking, fires etc.
Particular note should also be kept pertaining to unplanned events.

5 - Weather and tides

      RP00/1-Collect data, climatological - Record weather
Daily meteorological recording from weather station at 0830. The following readings are taken. Max/min temp, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity, cloud cover, precipitation. Update Excel spreadsheet records at NR office.
Monthly rainfall records submitted to EA.
Voluntary wildfowling ban imposed after XX days below freezing.
Investigate purchase of computerised/automatic weather station.

      RP11/1-Collect data, hydrological, natural event - Survey high tides
Tidal records are linked to wader roosts and counts are initiated.
High tides may cause losses of shorebird clutches through flooding. Monitoring of tidal variation will determine any management measures necessary.
Simple sketch maps produced of shingle ridges relative to high tides, incorporated in shorebird reports.