Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve

Kingfisher pair Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography

John Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography

Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve

Sloping down to a tributary of the River Ter, this varied landscape is a great place to see Kingfishers and Dragonflies

Location

Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve
Great Leighs
CM3 1PE

OS Map Reference

TL722181
A static map of Phyllis Currie Nature Reserve

Know before you go

Size
9 hectares
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Entry fee

Free
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Parking information

Space for 4 cars
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Grazing animals

Sheep grazing in August
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Walking trails

Narrow hard surface track that is pushchair and wheelchair friendly down the side of the meadow with a boardwalk through the wet woodland with a pond dipping platform 

Cicrucular paths unsurfaced through the reserve 

 

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Access

Wheelchair path leading from both entrances around the lake

Dogs

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Under effective control

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Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

Accessible at all times

Best time to visit

All year round

About the reserve

Left to Essex Wildlife Trust by Mrs Phyllis Currie, there are a variety of habitats that support plenty of plants, birds and insects.

The stunning lake and surrounding streams are fantastic for dragonflies and damselflies, with over 13 species being recorded. Keep an eye out for a flash of blue and orange along the streams and ditches as this is a great reserve for spotting Kingfishers, while amongst the reedbed look for the elusive Water Rail.

The grassland and glades bloom with colour in the spring and summer, with numerous Orchid species popping up throughout. Among the wildflowers this grassland also provides the perfect breeding grounds for a number of butterflies, with records of 23 species seen here.

Barn Owl

Photo - John Hawkins

Did you know?

Phyllis Currie has a beautiful wildflower glade which was once the graves for the dogs belonging to Phyllis Currie the original owner of the reserve

bird hides ()