Greening the embankment – signs of life already

Progress on the embankment is going strong, with over 75% now fully built, topsoiled, and hydroseeded. The team has made the most of the recent dry spell to keep things moving, and the results are already showing.

If you’ve passed by recently, you might have noticed the bright green dye from the hydroseeding has begun to fade – and in its place, the first green shoots are starting to appear. It’s an exciting sign of what’s to come.

By spring next year, this stretch will be bursting with coastal grasses and wildflowers, creating a vibrant habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife. We are looking forward to seeing the area come to life – and we hope you are too!

Living on the edge

Near the railway bridge, work has begun on upgrading the footpath, with wooden edging now being installed to separate the soil from the gravel that will soon be added. These edges will help keep the new surface tidy and in place, making the path more durable, safe and pleasant to use.

Later in the phase, we will also be refreshing the gravel along the previously completed section at Anchorage Park. This means the entire footpath will have a consistent finish – stretching all the way from Eastern Road to the Portsbridge roundabout.

It’s a small change with a big impact, helping to improve access and appearance along the creek while keeping things neat for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers alike.

Hilsea moat works: clearing silt and planting for the future

We have been making great progress on improving the historic moats at Hilsea Lines. Our amphibious excavator has been busy clearing out old silt – no exciting finds just yet, mostly plastic bottles and cans so far, so the moat is getting a good tidy-up!

The first reedbed structure is now in place and will soon be filled with the dredged silt (minus the rubbish). The reeds you can see in the background will soon be moved over to help form the new bed.

These reedbeds will help clean the water naturally and bring more wildlife to the area. They will also help restore the shape of the original moat, back to its linear form, protecting its history.

We will let you know if anything interesting turns up in the silt – for now, it’s all about making the space healthier and more welcoming for nature.

Dear fishermen (& friends)…

As the weather turns colder, Langstone Harbour springs quietly to life – welcoming thousands of migratory birds from the Arctic and beyond.

For them, our coastline is a vital winter stopover: a place to rest, feed, and build up energy for the long journey back to their breeding grounds. That’s why we built Cockleshell Island near Eastern Road – a safe, undisturbed roosting spot at high tide.

We’re thrilled to see birds already using the island, but we’ve also noticed a few fishermen making use of it too. While we understand the appeal, we kindly ask that the island not be used for fishing during the winter months. Every disturbance costs birds precious energy and feeding time and could affect their ability to survive and breed.

Thank you for helping us protect this special place. Together, we’re making space for nature to thrive.