Hythe to Calshot Marshes
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| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 Calshot Marshes | |
| Location | Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SU 456 052[1] |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 591.8 hectares (1,462 acres)[1] |
| Notification | 1984[1] |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Hythe to Calshot Marshes is a 591.8-hectare (1,462-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest which stretches along the west bank of Southampton Water between Calshot and Marchwood in Hampshire.[1][2] It is part of Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site[3] and Special Protection Area,[4] and of Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.[5] Calshot Marshes is a Local Nature Reserve[6] and Hythe Spartina Marsh is a nature reserve managed by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.[7]
These areas of saltmarsh and mudflats have nationally important numbers of wintering waders and wildfowl, such as black-tailed godwit, grey plover and dunlin. The site is internationally important for dark-bellied brent geese as it has over 1% of the world population. The benthic zone has a dense concentration of invertebrates which provide the birds' main food.[8]
