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OLD HALL MARSHES RSPB RESERVE & LIST

ENGLAND

ESSEX (Tiptree), ()

National Grid TL959122 00o00´/00o00´ N/A 459ha 0-10m, mainly tidal salt marsh, grazing marsh and hedges with large reedbed

winter (30.10.2008 to 31.10.2008)

 

Birding Site Guide

From the A12 take the B1023, via Tiptree to Tolleshunt D'Arcy. Turn left at village maypole then right into Chapel Road (back road to Tollesbury). After about 1 mile (1.6 km), turn left into Old Hall Lane. Continue up Old Hall Lane, over speed ramps and through iron gates to cattle grid, then follow signs straight ahead to car park. By rail: stations are located at Colchester and Kelvedon. There is a bus service to Tollesbury. Tpublic Rights of Way access the reserve from the villages of Salcott and Tollesbury and the PRoW follow the inland side of the reserve along the top of the seawall for about 10 miles.

Reserve facilities are poor with just a car park and 2 viewing screens.

The reserve is located on the Blackwall Estuary which consists of the northern Salcott Channel and the southern Tollesbury Fleet. There is one large island and several smaller ones in the estuary. The reserve is bordered by other landowners reserves.

Winter is a good time to visit as the reserve attracts nearly 5000 geese, many being Brent Geese. Other wildfowl such as Mallard, Tufted Duck and Wigeon occur in large numbers too. Up to 11 Marsh Harriers can be seen in the breeding season and several now over-winter. Other species which breed in nationally important numbers include Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard, Avocet and Bearded Tit.

Good numbers of Brown Hare and Water Vole can be found here. Otters do not occur, and introduced American Mink are a continuing threat to the Water Vole population. Other commoner mammals occur.

 

Birds seen

 

Author: BSG

 

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