Fingringhoe Wick opened in 1961 as Essex Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve and some years later the Trust opened their first visitor centre here. Fifty years on visitors are still coming to see this magical place which is set in a spectacular position overlooking the Colne Estuary.
There were 40 years of gravel extraction on the reserve before Essex Wildlife Trust purchased it. It offers a wide range of habitats including areas of grassland, gorse heathland, reedbeds, ponds and the estuary itself. Fingringhoe Wick is famous for its Nightingales each spring when their songs ring out over the reserve as there are usually about 25 males to be heard! Thousands of waders and wildfowl use the estuary in the winter and as many as 700 Avocets can be seen.
In 2014 work began to breach the seawall in several places to the north of the reserve which has created a superb intertidal habitat. The extra 88 acres were bought by the Essex Wildlife Trust following an appeal and the whole area was opened to the public in 2016.
The nature reserve is a wildlife haven and visitors can enjoy many species of birds. Numerous dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies and up to 350 species of flowering plants have been recorded.
There are eight hides situated around the reserve overlooking a variety of habitats
All Year
Little Grebe
Little Egret
Mute Swan
Mallard
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Bullfinch
Marsh Harrier
Kestrel
Tawny Owl
Barn Owl
Reed Bunting
Lapwing
Redshank
Cetti’s Warbler
Kingfisher
Spring
Nightingale
Chiffchaff
Lesser Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Turtle Dove
Swallow
House Martin
Sand Martin
Summer
Hobby
Nightingale
Chiffchaff
Lesser Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Blackcap
Common Whitethroat
Turtle Dove
Swallow
House Martin
Sand Martin
Autumn
Spotted Redshank
Greenshank
Whimbrel
Avocet
Hobby
Swallow
Sand Martin
House Martin
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Winter
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Knot
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Avocet
Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Hen Harrier
Ringed Plover
Siskin
Redpoll
Red-breasted Merganser
Past Rarities include
Night Heron
Glossy Ibis
Purple Heron
Black Kite
Black-winged Stilt
Alpine Swift
Aquatic Warbler
Marsh Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
There are various trails that cover all the habitats this wildlife-rich reserve has to offer. Eight hides are situated around the site and are detailed below:-
Thurstable and Lake Hides
Little Egrets and Grey Herons roost in trees surrounding the lake and it is a great place to watch a variety of wildfowl especially throughout the winter months. Bittern has been seen in the small reedbed opposite the hides during the last few winters. The hides are also a great place to see Kingfisher.
Crawshaw and Laurie's Hides
Both of these hides overlook a scrape and saltmarsh. Little Grebes can be found around the edges and during the autumn it is probably the best place to find Spotted Redshank and Greenshank at high tide. Kingfishers and Water Rail are regular visitors and the surrounding scrub often hold Bullfinch, Cetti's Warbler and Whitethroat during the spring and summer.
Robbie's Hide
Overlooking the Colne Estuary, Robbie's Hide is probably best around two hours either side of high tide when waders including Knot, Dunlin, Curlew, Grey Plover, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Avocet and Oystercatchers are often seen close to the hide during the winter. Marsh Harriers can be seen patrolling the sea walls and marshes. Facing east, the light is especially good from mid-morning to evening.
Margaret Hide
This spacious hide is situated on a strip of land that extends into the intertidal lagoon. What was arable fields several years ago is now a superb wetland habitat that is very rich in wildlife. It is one of the best places to watch waders and wildfowl throughout the year especially if photography is your thing. In the summer, keep your eyes open for Common and Little Terns, the former species nest on shingle-topped islands on the lagoon.
Kingfishers are regular visitors and migrant waders such as Whimbrel, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank are often seen whilst the fields behind the hide are home to Yellowhammer, Skylark, Meadow Pipits and thrushes during winter.
Kingfisher Hide
As the name suggests, Kingfishers are regularly seen and the reedbed is home to Reed Bunting all year round and Reed Warbler during the summer. The muddy edges on the pool attract Green Sandpipers throughout the autumn.
Meles meles Hide
Although designed specifically to watch Badgers at dusk, this hide attracts woodland species such as woodpeckers, Bullfinch, Nightingale, Turtle Dove and other warblers.
Other sites on the reserve that are worth checking out include:-
Kitt's and Bunkhouse Ponds which are excellent for dragonflies and other insects from spring to autumn plus there is a chance of seeing the elusive Water Vole.
Visitor Centre
The visitor centre overlooks Geedon Marsh, one of the best sites in the county to observe raptors especially during the winter. It is possible to see Marsh and Hen Harriers, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Kestrel. The visitor centre also sells hot food and drink and the large windows offer fantastic views.
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Location
Fingringhoe Wick
Visitor Centre
South Green Road Fingringhoe
Colchester
Essex
CO5 7DN
Map reference
TM 048 193
Opening Times
Open Daily 9am - 5pm (November, December & January 9am - 4pm)
Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day
Directions
Public Transport