About the reserve

In spring, this small reserve comes alive with Bluebells and Climbing Corydalis covering the steep sides of the valley, below the branches of Birch and Ash, leading down to the partially wooded marsh at the bottom. Old hazel, Alder coppice and Moschatel grow in the marsh, while Common Brown and Small Copper butterflies can be seen flitting through the meadow in summer.

Owned by Anglian Water but managed by Essex Wildlife Trust, wildlife abundance and diversity have been increased, with ‘rides’ opened up to encourage butterflies and other invertebrates, and a pond dug for aquatic life.

Scots Pine, Beech and Oak planted in the 60s add further to the mix of trees, home to Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Sparrowhawks and many other woodland birds. At dusk Foxes and Badgers can be seen starting to move around the reserve.