There is a special atmosphere of tranquility where the sea meets the meandering river waters. With each ebb and flow of the tide, saltwater baths the marshy reeds, grasses and scrubby trees. It is a labyrinth of safety and security for birds - waders and nesters, songsters, migrating feeders, and a myriad of other creatures. The importance of intact wetlands cannot be overstated: they protect the land from soil erosion, filter and absorb nutrients which increase oxygen levels in the water, and provide a rich habitat for a variety of wildlife and plant species.