Sites in our site database
| Site | Description | Sample image |
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| Backwarden, Danbury, Chelmsford | ||
| Belhus Woods Country Park, Havering and Thurrock (shared) | Young lakes, numerous ditches and streams, marshy bits and the Running Water Brook give a variety of wetland habitats. Several patches of ancient semi-natural woodlands of varying types, and numerous hedges and scrub areas give shaded cover. Open young grassy fields and some open gravel or sandy areas combine with the rest to make a rich mosaic of habitats with great biodiversity.
Two ancient semi-natural woodlands are west of Romford Road, but managed as parts of the Park. Both are easily accessed by footpaths, or using the car park in Warwick Lane that serves Cely Woods (Thames Chase). Both White Post Wood and Warwick Wood are outstanding for their fungus flora. Warwick Wood has a wider vascular plant flora than White Post Wood, and has many ancient woodland indicator species. Warwick Wood is wet in parts and is almost all native trees, whereas White Post Wood is quite dry and has a lot of Sycamore and the best display of Bluebells for miles around. The rich mosaic of habitats are home to over 500 species of higher plants, 100 bryophytes, 95 lichens (at least), 415 fungi (at least). Animal life is also rich, including many waterbirds. | |
| Bradwell-on-Sea Cockle Spit Reserve, Maldon | ||
| Broom Hill, West Tilbury, Thurrock | Astonishing survival that is probably the most important grassland site in Essex |  |
| Bushy Hill, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford | ||
| Chafford Gorges, Thurrock | ||
| Chalkney Wood, Braintree | ||
| Clacton Cliffs, Tendring | ||
| Colne Point, Tendring | Colne Point is one of the most important areas in the county for scarce invertebrates, and is also of national importance. A substantial number of the species are to be found in only a handful of other locations in Britain. In an Essex context the area is unique. |  |
| Crabknowe Spit, Tendring |
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| Cressing Temple, Braintree | ||
| East Tilbury Fort and silt lagoons, Thurrock |
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| East Tilbury Marshes, Thurrock |
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| East Tilbury Silt Lagoons, Thurrock | Nationally important invertebrate fauna including numerous rare and scarce species of dry grassland and lichen heath, dune, seasonally wet and saline habitats. |  |
| Essex Wildlife Trust at Abbotts Hall, Great Wigborough, Colchester |
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| Fingringhoe Wick, Colchester | ||
| Flitch Way, Uttlesford | ||
| Fobbing Marshes, Thurrock | ||
| Garnetts Wood, Uttlesford | The wood covers about 24ha and is a public park managed by Essex. Access is from a small car park by the road that runs S from Barnston (on the A130) towards High Easter. Management is mainly coppicing of the Small-leaved Lime trees. The wood is mentioned in Domesday, when it had enough woodland for foraging by a number of pigs, so clearly it was well-established by then. It is almost certainly a relic of the original wildwood in England, which was mainly this same Small-leaved Lime. It has been coppiced for a very long time, but then a long gap meant some coppice stools grew huge limbs. Some stools are several metres across.
Other trees have arrived in some places, such as Oak, Hazel etc, and Pines were planted in one small area. There are several ponds, mainly under a dark canopy, but a wide ride has been created and here are found lots of butterflies on the flowers and I saw a snake once. The plants are very varied, as are the bryophytes, but so far fungi have been a bit disappointing. It is one of the few remaining really ancient woodlands left over from the primeval forest or wildwood. Its ancient coppice management has recently been restored, to good effect. | |
| Glemsford Pits (disused railway line), Braintree | Only modern site in Essex for several very rare bees |  |
| Goshems Farm, Tilbury, Thurrock | There are extensive flower rich areas, varied vegetation structure, important plants such as Stinking Goosefoot (W&C Act Schedule 8), Nationally Scarce Saltmarsh Goosefoot, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass and abundant White Horehound and Houndstongue. Very important for invertebrates, including UKBAP species Hornet Robber Fly and Brown-banded Carder Bee, and almost certainly other UKBAP species. Numerous rare and scarce species. |  |
| Hadleigh Castle, Castle Point | ||
| Hadleigh Castle landslip, Castle Point | The site supports soft rock cliff species, as well as an extraordinary assemblage of rare heathland and calcareous grasslnd spiders. |  |
| Hatfield Forest, Uttlesford | ||
| Heydon Roadverge, Cambridgeshire South | Plentiful Cowslip, Small Scabious and various flower resources for bees and other insects, also important for ground dwelling invertebrates including spiders |  |
| Howlands Marsh, Tendring |
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| Hunts Hill, Belhus Woods Country Park, Havering | This brown field site of about 15ha was excavated for sand and gravel and the landscape made into its present form in the winter of 2000/2001. Very soon the whole site is to be added to BWCP, who are already involved in its management.
Before the excavations, topsoil was taken off and made into huge banks round the site. Some of that remains, particularly next to Romford Road. A substantial area around the large lake margins was left without soil, and is by far the most interesting part of the site for wild plants, including bryophytes and lichens. The rest is now rough grassland, with invasion of scrub mainly Butterfly-bush (Buddleia davidii) and assorted willows and some Silver Birch, and Brambles.
The first plants in 2000 and 2001 were all severely depauperate, mainly Ranunculus celeratus (flowering at 2cm high), Rumex maritimus (also flowering at 2cm high), Filago vulgaris and F. minima (both flowering at 1cm high) and a few others. Later came Willowherbs, especially Epilobium parviflorum, various Vetches and Clovers, Blinks (Montia fontana subsp chondrosperma) and large quantities of Erophila verna and Myosotis ramossisimus. The smaller plants remain on the almost bare ground round the big lake, along with mosses and lichens.
Canada Geese have invaded the lake and their droppings are raising the fertility of the sandy shores, which is a great pity.
In the SE corner is an extra bit of water, often a small pond of its own with a sand bar across, but in winter it is not separate. A good variety of rushes, sedges and other water plants grow in this shallow water.
In the SW corner is a small area of Silver Birch on the original gravel surface. This area is rich in fungi and lichens. Beyond it, but almost inaccessible, is an old fishing pond, long neglected and very overgrown, but it still has Swan Mussels in it.
To the north of the main lake is a much smaller one, very irregular in shape, with a sand/gravel cliff at the northern edge for Sand Martins (see pic below). This lake has a small island in it which is very rich in lichens and mosses, but can only be reached by boat. The diversity of vegetation types, plant diversity and relatively unmanaged nature of the habitats (at least in 2002) mean continuity of vegetative resources essential for many invertebrates. |  |
| Ingrebourne Valley, Havering | ||
| Jill's field, Thurrock | This low-nutrient sandy soil, well-drained and with lots of sunshine, means it is suitable for many plant rarities, especially, but by no means only, in the pea family. Main habitat is open ground with very short vegetation and some disturbance. There used to be lots of disturbance by illegal bikers and burnt-out cars, but these have decreased with extra vigilance. Although strictly a 'brown field' site, the previous use was as part of a sports field.
It can be accessed from the S end of Love Lane and heading NW across open rough land, or from Purfleet Road, and heading S in a space between houses, until the woodland area is passed.
Directly across the A13 is a larger area (ie larger site cut by A13) that is also mainly open land with carpets of Trifolium glomeratum, but the area is degraded in comparison with Jill's field. A stunning collection of plants, nearly all tiny, that represent the typical flora of the sandy soil of the area, are abundant here. Some of the plants are nationally rare, many are rare or scarce in South Essex as most virgin areas have been excavated for their minerals and then used for landfill. | |
| Mucking Heath, Orsett Golf Course, Thurrock | The site supports the only known Essex populations for several rare spiders and is also home to scarce plants and many rare and scarce invertebrates. |  |
| Norsey Wood, Basildon |
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| Northey Island, Maldon |
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| Rainham Marshes, Havering | ||
| Shadwell Wood, Uttlesford | ||
| Springfields or Orsett Camp Quarry, Thurrock | Important area of acid grassland and scrub with excellent invertebrate fauna. |  |
| Star Lane Brick Pits, Great Wakering, Rochford | ||
| Steeple Creek (shingle), Maldon | Occurrence of several rare spiders, including the jumping spider Heliophanus auratus. |  |
| Swan Wood, Stock, Chelmsford | An ancient woodland with a wonderful bluebell display and good flora and fauna. |  |
| The Cliff, Burnham-on-Crouch, Maldon | An important soft rock cliff invertebrate fauna |  |
| Thorndon Country Park, Brentwood | The northern part has some very old trees, notably Hornbeam, which are relics of the old deer park this area once was. There is a plantation of conifers (mainly Scots Pine) which is gradually being replaced by native trees, areas of ancient semi-natural woodland and more open heathy areas with Silver Birch, all on slopes of gravels and clay in the dips. The higher plants are well represented and the fungus flora is outstanding.
The southern part has young and boring grassland providing open amenity land for flying kites especially as these low hills look south over Kent and get all the SW winds. The nearby Octagon Plantation is small but has several ancient woodland indicator plants in it.The large artificial lake has a dam at the southern end and a wet boggy area around the stream below the weir. The upper slopes are wooded (mainly native trees, but a few planted conifers), with some very slippery clay slopes and wet areas around the stream that feeds the lake. Rich flora and fungus flora.
Both parts have lots of birds and butterflies as well as being rich in plants. An exceptional population of the uncommon newt species Palmate Newt Triturus (Lissotriton) helveticus exists within the picnic pond at the Visitors Centre. The picnic pond is home to at least four amphibian species Amphibian Species within the Picnic Pond (status) Palmate Newt - (Exceptional) Smooth Newt - (Low) Crested Newt - (Low) Common Frog - (Low) The picnic pond is considered to be unsuitable for the crested newt on the basis of its size and surrounding habitat. This is reflected on the abundance of palmate newts which favour small woodland ponds which are formed on acidic soils/geology. Crested newts are found in the pond in the late summer probably foraging on tadpoles and the smaller newt species. Less than 1 adult is found at a time while over 250 adult palmate newts are found on pond dipping trips organised by the Essex County Council and Wildlife Trust. Crested newts are found in much higher numbers in larger ponds further south in the more suitable area of the London clay. Toads are also found in larger numbers in the fish ponds located further south. | |
| Tiptree Heath, Colchester | Survey in 1984 identified a rich spider fauna, but otherwise relatively little is known of its invertebrate importance. The heath is also important for its plants. |  |
| Walton Naze undercliffs, Tendring | ||
| Wanstead Flats, Waltham Forest | ||
| Wat Tyler Country Park, Basildon District Council | Protected areas for wildlife Combination of Habitats (Complex Mosaic) Pro-active management to enhance where possible wildlife value Informed Habitat and wildlife management Geographic Location (Along Thames Estuary) Excellent public access. Footpaths, Rides, Facilities, |  |
| Weald Country Park, Brentwood | The soils are mainly clay deposits with gravels, making slopes and hills.
Most of the area was privately owned as a landscaped parkland with trees, and the eastern part of the present park is more or less as it was. Small woodland plantations, mostly of conifers, have been added bit by bit to the whole park, and the Coxtie Green landfill site is also now in the park.
Most of the park is grassland, much of it, especially in the southern and south-western part, is mown regularly and species pooor. The old parkland in the eastern part is much more interesting and grazed from time to time by cattle. This part is rich in fungi and has quite a good variety of higher plants.
There is a private house surrounded by woodland to the north.
The south-eastern part has a cricket field adjacent to the road which is rich in grassland fungi and thus is probably old like the old Park nearby.
The woodland areas include some bits of ancient semi-natural woodland and some landscaped and planted areas eg Sweet Chestnut, which are also rich in fungi, but the conifer areas are rather poor in fungi or, indeed, in anything else alive. The large lake is not very exciting as far as plants or fungi are concerned, but there are a variety of water birds. Several small streams run down into the lake, and these wet areas provide greater habitat diversity.
Fallow Deer are kept in an enclosure in the south-western part.
In 2006 there were 2 Hornets nests in old Oak trees, one on the north bank of the lake and the other higher up by the old carriageway. The old Park area in the East is very good for fungi. The broad-leaved woodlland areas are also quite rich in fungi. | |
| West Thurrock, St.Clements Church tract, Thurrock | The area supported a very important invertebrate fauna with many rare and scarce species, probably now mostly lost. |  |
| Writtle Forest, Chelmsford | 400-500 acres of ancient (if neglected) woodland and a wide range of farmland types and associated features. |
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