About the reserve

The nature reserve has been worked for decades by traditional methods to help wildlife, so it now boasts a wonderful diversity of species. Clouded Yellow butterflies flutter above the grassland in summer, noisy Brent Geese gather on the grassland in winter and the majestic Marsh Harrier soars above, coming to roost at dusk.

Walk along the seawall from Tollesbury Marina and you can appreciate the Essex coast, the history which formed it and the wonderful wildlife it supports. Take the permissive path to the bird hide at the lagoon to witness the thousands of wildfowl and waders that gather here over winter to feed on the rich wet grassland, including large flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing and Wigeon.

Home to Essex Wildlife Trust’s flying flock of sheep and cattle these all help to manage this freshwater grazing marsh in the most sustainable way possible. The rough pasture is also perfect habitat for small mammals such as Field Voles and Pygmy Shrews, which makes this reserve the ideal hunting ground for numerous birds of prey species. You might be able to see that the grassland consists of many bumps and lumps - these are actually long established ant hills of the Yellow Meadow Ant that is still present at the reserve.