Cattawade Marshes RSPB reserve lies between the two arms of the River Stour on the Essex/Suffolk border and is a haven for breeding waders and huge flocks of winter wildfowl.
Another nearby site if visiting Cattawade Marshes RSPB reserve is ‘The Splodge’, an area of seasonal pools which can be excellent for passage waders in spring and autumn plus the occasional Water Pipit in winter.
All Year
Mute Swan
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Shelduck
Kingfisher
Skylark
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Lapwing
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Spring
Yellow Wagtail
Lapwing
Redshank
Skylark
Common Tern
Little Ringed Plover
Water Pipit
Oystercatcher
Summer
Shelduck
Lapwing
Redshank
Oystercatcher
Reed Warbler
Sedge Warbler
Swallow
House Martin
Autumn
Black-tailed Godwit
Wigeon
Teal
Shoveler
Mallard
Green Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Winter
Fieldfare
Redwing
Lapwing
Teal
Wigeon
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Peregrine
Past Rarities include
American Wigeon
Purple Heron
Temminck’s Stint
White-winged Black Tern
There is no public access to Cattawade Marshes RSPB reserve due to the possibility of disturbance to breeding and wintering species but the reserve can be viewed from the public footpath on the south side of the River Stour. Parking is available at Manningtree Railway Station.
‘The Splodge’ can be viewed from close to the white bridge which goes over the River Stour. Look south to the fields north of the railway line.
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