Marshalls Arm

Todays blip is of a quieter section of the river not matter how full and navigable section is Marshalls arm is the old meanders of the river before it was straightened out for the movement of salt in 1700s from Winsford Salt mine up river. The Marshall family owned the Hartford Manor estate from the 1700s to the early 1900s, and so Marshall’s Arm.
Marshall’s Arm is a very popular fishing and beauty spot and has over theyears become fairly shallow after 1902 when the up-river entrance of the Arm was blocked off. and silt has built up in the closed end of Marshall’s Arm providing a foothold for reeds and willow. Although natural, these changes mean that the remaining wetland – and its wildlife – could disappear in time, the Woodland Reserve is managed to prevent this.

Not so much to see this time of year but walk through the three fingers of woodland, in spring and there is a fantastic carpet of Bluebells and a strong smell of wild Garlic. Although I hear the woodpeckers drumming sound, as they search for food I've not had chance to blip them yet.