Leigh National Nature Reserve and Two Tree Island.
Leigh NNR encompasses Leigh Sands (an intertidal area) as far south as a channel called Ray Gut, and also included the eastern half of Two Tree Island. The island is the only part of the reserve that is accessible.
The flats have a dense, vigorous growth of eel grass species which, together with their invertebrate populations, support large numbers of dark-bellied Brent geese and waders such as grey plovers and knots.
The saltmarshes are noted for their plant-life, in particular the five species of glasswort that grow there. The lower marshes are home to sea aster, small cord-grass, common cord-grass and glasswort species, while the upper marshes are dominated by sea purslane.
Two Tree Island typifies the history of many Essex coastal sites. It was reclaimed from the sea in the 18th century when a sea-wall was built around saltmarsh, and was used for rough grazing until 1910 when a sewage farm was built on its eastern tip. In 1936 Southend Borough Council acquired the whole island and used it as a rubbish tip until the 1970s.
The western part belongs to Hadleigh Castle country park. At its western tip is a lagoon with a bird hide, from which you can see birds such as redshank and heron feeding.
The eastern part, with the adjoining saltmarsh (170 acres) and a large area of inter-tidal mudflats (464 acres) is a nature reserve managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. It is part of Leigh National Nature Reserve.
Highlights: Curlew, dunlin, redshank, grey plover, redshank, short-eared owls, turnstone and knot.
Location: The island is south of Leigh. Turn off the A13 down towards Leigh station, then cross the bridge over the railway and follow the road past the golf range and over the bridge on to the island. There is a car park immediately over the bridge and the main reserve entrance is about 200m further on the left. Hadleigh Castle Country Park is on the right.
Grid reference: TQ 824 852
Click here for more information about Two Tree Island.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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