This 200 acre reserve, overlooking the North Sea, is jointly managed by Essex Birdwatching Society and Essex Wildlife Trust, it consists of extensive shell bank and saltmarsh with some areas of scrub and copse backed by arable farmland. It is designated as a site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Protection Area and is part of the Dengie National Nature Reserve.
The mixture of habitat hosts a wide variety of species, the area being particularly notable during autumn/winter and migration periods.
All Year
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Shelduck
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Peregrine
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Green Woodpecker
Rock Pipit
Stonechat
Corn Bunting
Skylark
Linnet
Spring
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Gannet
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
Little Tern
Sanderling
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
Summer
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Common Tern
Common Swift
Barn Swallow
Hobby
Autumn
Common Tern
Sandwich Tern
Little Tern
Great Skua
Arctic Skua
Pomarine Skua
Gannet
Sanderling
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Knot
Dunlin
Whimbrel
Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Pintail
Teal
Wigeon
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Whinchat
Wheatear
Winter
Greenshank
Grey Plover
Golden Plover
Knot
Dunlin
Curlew
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Great Northern Diver
Red-throated Diver
Black-throated Diver
Common Scoter
Teal
Wigeon
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Redwing
Fieldfare
Merlin
Hen Harrier
Short-eared Owl
Past rarities include
Pallas’s Warbler
Short-toed Treecreeper
Pallas’s Warbler
Isabelline Shrike
Yellow-browed Warbler
Turtle Dove
Osprey
Montagu’s Harrier
Black Brant
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
, 
Upon arrival from the car park, passing the historic St Peters Chapel, one has a choice of turning either north or south and observing the reserve from the sea wall.
Northern trail
This trail of approximately 0.4km (0.25 miles) in length takes you to Sales Point where the public beach can be accessed for views over the northern tip of the reserve. There are also some areas of copse which are particularly attractive to migrating birds.
Southern trail
Follow the sea wall for approximately 1.2km (0.75 miles) viewing the reserve and sea beyond on the east side and grassland/farmland to the west.
The observatory (often staffed on Wednesdays and Sundays) is located at Linnets Cottage within the copse just southeast of the Chapel. There are a number of feeders within the copse which attract a good selection of bird species.
Location
The car park is at Eastlands Farm, East End Road, Bradwell on Sea, CM07PW, then follow the track north eastwards for 0.9 km (0.56 miles)
Map reference
TM 035 081
Opening times
Open at all times
Directions
Public Transport
Nearest train station: Southminster (9km/5.6miles)
Nearest bus stop: The Kings Head, Bradwell on Sea (1.5 km/0.9 miles), bus No. 3 Chelmsford to Tillingham, No. 104 Tillingham to Burnham on Crouch, No. D1 Bradwell on Sea to Maldon, No. D4 Bradwell on Sea to Burnham on Crouch