Local Wildlife Sites
Local Wildlife Sites are areas of land that are especially important for their wildlife. They are some of our most valuable wildlife areas.
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Ray Island photo wins the public vote!
Essex Wildlife Trust’s Photography Competition 2018 winner announced
Urgent: Help protect Local Wildlife Sites
Essex Wildlife Trust urges people to call for protection for Local Wildlife Sites
Lapwing
The distinctive rounded wings of the lapwing are displayed beautifully when it wheels around a winter sky in a massive flock. In spring, these flocks disperse and some birds breed in the UK.…
Sixty years of leading wildlife conservation in Essex
Sixty years of leading wildlife conservation in Essex.
Planning
Essex is blessed with a rich and varied wildlife heritage and the county is famous for its coastline, arguably the longest in England; the coastal wetlands of Essex are renowned for their extensive areas of grazing marsh, lagoons, shingle, mudflats, saltmarsh, fresh water pools and reedbeds. In addition, there are extensive river systems, tracts of ancient woodland, mosaic and grassland, and important brownfield sites, with heaths, wetlands and important wildlife corridors scattered throughout the county within the wider farmed countryside. These beautiful wild places are vulnerable and many are under threat from development.
Porbeagle shark
The porbeagle shark is a member of the shark family Lamnidae, making it one of the closest living relatives of the great white shark.
Blue shark
It's easy to see where the blue shark got its name from. These sleek, elegant sharks have beautiful metallic blue backs which provide brilliant camouflage out in the open ocean.
Basking shark
This gentle giant is the largest shark in UK seas, reaching up to 12m in length. There's no need to fear them though, they only eat plankton!
Spear thistle
A common plant of disturbed ground like roadside verges and field edges, the spear thistle has purple, fluffy flower heads that appear in summer. Its flowers attract insects and its seeds feed…
Thresher shark
The thresher shark is a migratory species and passes through UK waters in the summer months. If you’re lucky, you might see this magnificent shark jump high out of the water in to the air.
Tope shark
This slender and elegant shark species is often found close to shore all around our coasts and can grow up to 6 feet long.