Places

East Head

ClasEast Head | Photograph: M Simmons
East Head | Photograph: M Simmons

East Head is a sand and shingle spit located at the mouth of Chichester Harbour. It was formed by the process of longshore drift, but its present shape and direction have been affected by sea defences that have been interrupting this process for nearly 200 years.

In 1786 the spit pointed across the entrance of the harbour towards Hayling Island. Since that time its position has moved and it now points north into the Harbour. During the 1960’s and 1970’s the sea breached the narrow Hinge.

This simple outline of East Head shows the location of the photographs below.
This simple outline of East Head shows the
location of the photographs below.

A large part of the spit was submerged in seawater that destroyed much of the vegetation. The sand dunes had to be replenished with the planting of Marram Grass and other dune plants.

Since the 1980’s, there has been severe erosion to the west/sea facing side of the spit In 2005 a ‘rock berm’ was put on the inside of the narrow Hinge area to try and secure the spit to the mainland and to prevent a channel forming if the sea should break through again. In October 2004 the narrowest section linking the spit to the mainland was completely eroded away by the sea. During the summer of 2005 a huge quantity of sand was transported from the northern tip and a huge bank built over the top of the surviving rock berm. This has been planted with Marram Grass and it is hoped it will remain in place until a long-term solution has been agreed on.

East Head is owned by the National Trust. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and has an international designation as a Ramsar Site because of its importance for coastal birds. The sand dune habitat is valuable to the harbour. It is a popular place for people to visit during the summer and it gives some protection to the rest of the harbour from erosion and flooding.


1. These gabions are sea defences that protect the narrow hinge from erosion.

1. These gabions are sea defences that protect the narrow hinge from erosion.
2a. In October 2004 the narrowest part of East Head that connected it to the mainland was very quickly eroded away by the sea during some very high tides.
2a. In October 2004 the narrowest part of East Head that connected it to the mainland was very quickly eroded away by the sea during some very high tides.
2b. Although all the sand and Marram Grass quickly disappeared, the rock berm remained. It helped to prevent the sea eroding a channel through to the saltmarsh.
2b. Although all the sand and Marram Grass quickly disappeared, the rock berm remained. It helped to prevent the sea eroding a channel through to the saltmarsh.
2c. In June 2005 35,000 cubic metres of sand were transported from the northern tip of East Head to the eroded gap. A huge bank of sand was built over the area of the rock berm. Marram Grass was planted on the bank to help stabilise it.
2c. In June 2005 15,000 cubic metres of sand were transported from the northern tip of East Head to the eroded gap. A huge bank of sand was built over the area of the rock berm. Marram Grass was planted on the bank to help stabilise it.
3 The western face of East Head faces the open sea. The dunes are rapidly eroding away. Sometimes the sand on the existing dunes landslides. This speeds up the erosion and can also be dangerous.
3 The western face of East Head faces the open sea. The dunes are rapidly eroding away. Sometimes the sand on the existing dunes landslides. This speeds up the erosion and can also be dangerous.
4 When Marram Grass roots are exposed they can no longer take up fresh water to feed the plant. The Marram Grass begins to die back and the sand erodes away more quickly. Look carefully at the way the Marram Grass roots are blown by the wind and cause erosion of the dunes by rubbing.
4 When Marram Grass roots are exposed they can no longer take up fresh water to feed the plant. The Marram Grass begins to die back and the sand erodes away more quickly. Look carefully at the way the Marram Grass roots are blown by the wind and cause erosion of the dunes by rubbing.
5 The Marram Grass in this picture is still very healthy.
5 The Marram Grass in this picture is still very healthy.
6. This area has been roped off to discourage people from walking on it. For several years ground-nesting birds called Ringed Plover have been laying their eggs here. The eggs are camouflaged by the pebbles and very easily trodden on.
6. This area has been roped off to discourage people from walking on it. For several years ground-nesting birds called Ringed Plover have been laying their eggs here. The eggs are camouflaged by the pebbles and very easily trodden on.

7. Sea Knotgrass is a nationally rare plant that grows on vegetated shingle. It can survive with hardly any soil or fresh water.
7. Sea Knotgrass is a nationally rare plant that grows on vegetated shingle. It can survive with hardly any soil or fresh water.
8. New sand dunes can form very quickly. When sand is blown by the wind it gets caught on any obstruction in its path. The Marram Grass that this sand is building up round will send more shoots up through the top, and roots deep down into the water table.
8. New sand dunes can form very quickly. When sand is blown by the wind it gets caught on any obstruction in its path. The Marram Grass that this sand is building up round will send more shoots up through the top, and roots deep down into the water table.
9. Water collects in the middle low-lying area of the dunes. This is called the dune slack. The darker coloured plants are reeds. The area is also colonized with mosses and lichens.
9. Water collects in the middle low-lying area of the dunes. This is called the dune slack. The darker coloured plants are reeds. The area is also colonized with mosses and lichens.
10. On the sheltered side of East Head the vegetation becomes more stable. It is the natural ‘succession’ of sand dunes to become scrubland.
10. On the sheltered side of East Head the vegetation becomes more stable. It is the natural ‘succession’ of sand dunes to become scrubland.
11. Snow Hill Creek is the area of saltmarsh that lies on the sheltered side of East Head. Both the Common Sea Lavender and Lax-flowered Sea Lavender grow on this saltmarsh.
11. Snow Hill Creek is the area of saltmarsh that lies on the sheltered side of East Head. Both the Common Sea Lavender and Lax-flowered Sea Lavender grow on this saltmarsh.
12. Sea Holly grows in several places on East Head. It is easy to find the patches growing on the Hinge.
12. Sea Holly grows in several places on East Head. It is easy to find the patches growing on the Hinge.
  

For more information, look at the study pack which includes a selection of aerial photos, press releases and key documents. If you have further questions please email the Harbour Office.



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Harbour Office, Itchenor, Chichester, PO20 7AW.   Tel: 01243 512 301