Adur World Oceans Day 2008

Overview

Widewater is a landlocked brackish lagoon approximately 1066 metres long and 90 metres at its widest point when the lagoon is in flood. It was created by Man from the original Adur estuary after been landlocked by longshore drift and violent storms. The waters are replenished by the sea, which filters up through the basin of the lagoon on very high tides, and also by rain water. There is a dramatic rise in the level after heavy rainfall, more than can be explained by the rain landing directly on the lagoon flood plain. Man has built up banks on the perimeter of the lagoon to prevent flooding to this nearby reclaimed land, now turned to residential use. The quantity of water contained within the lagoon and salinity are liable to fluctuate wildly. The flood plain covers an area of 18.5 acres.

At its maximum flooding with a measurement on the gauge by the bridge giving a depth of 1.60 metres, the lagoon will cover an area of 4.6 hectares (= 11.4 acres) with a perimeter of 2282 metres. 

by Steve Barker and Andy Horton

29 May 2008
The Shoreham Herald reports the loss of the whole family of seven cygnets of a pair of Mute Swans on Widewater Lagoon. 

22 May 2008
A male Common Blue Butterfly fluttered over the expanses of Bird's Foot Trefoil on the flood plain south of the bridge, with plenty of Sea Kale, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Thrift in flower with Sea Campion, Scarlet Pimpernel, Sow Thistle, all prominent. 
Adur Butterfly List 2008

7 May 2008
From the promenade cyclepath the shingle flood plain of Widewater near the pipeline inlets was seen to be covered in patches of violet, which was assumed to be Ivy-leaved Toadflax. 

14 March 2008
A Long-tailed Duck landed on Widewater Lagoon. Its black spot on its white head, for the winter plumage, was very clear. This duck has been flying between Widewater and Brooklands Boating Lake. 

27 February 2008
At least two Red-breasted Mergansers were diving under at the eastern end of Widewater and one of them squabbled with a Black-headed Gull as the drake "sawbill" emerged almost under the gull. 

10 February 2008
The Long-tailed Duck was showing at midday on Widewater Lagoon.

Link to Widewater Reports 2007
 

Widewater Wildlife Reports 2006

Magic Map Link for Widewater Lagoon

Link to Widewater Reports 2007

Adur Nature Notes 2008:   Index Page