Our conservation team, with the help of our dedicated volunteers, have been carrying out important wader habitat management at Two Tree Island nature reserve. By cutting back vegetation, nesting and roosting areas are created for waders by the lagoon. Additionally, beach-nesting birds like ringed plover, oystercatchers and little terns will hopefully enjoy the newly-laid shingle and sand on the islands – replicating their usual habitat and encouraging waders to breed.

Further along the coast, our conservation project at Blue House Farm nature reserve continues to develop with thanks to funding from Biffa Award. With the introduction of a predator exclusion fence, we are hopeful that waders like lapwing and redshank will successfully breed in this protected haven.  

Learn more about the project

Together with the Environment Agency and Thames Estuary Partnership, the Trust is working to re-open Essex’s rivers for wildlife, allowing free fish migration across the county.

This year, thanks to the ecological monitoring conducted by our conservation team, we have counted 3,295 butterflies across our reserves. Out of the 25 species surveyed, the most common butterfly to appear was the meadow brown – totalling over 40% of the butterflies surveyed. Other popular species to be sighted included: gatekeeper, ringlet, small white and small skipper.

Our conservation projects would not be possible without your support. Become a member of Essex Wildlife Trust today, and help us make conservation happen. 

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