Trip away from SS15 – EWT Two Tree Island, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

This morning, I had a short bus and train journey to Leigh-on-Sea followed by a short walk to EWT Two Tree Island.

EWT Two Tree Island is situated adjacent to the internationally protected Thames Estuary and it is a winter refuge for a huge diversity and abundance of winter wildfowl (most notably Dark-bellied Brent Geese) and waders plus a wide range of breeding and migrant birds during the rest of the year.

EWT Two Tree Island was reclaimed from the sea in the 18th century when a seawall was built around the saltmarsh and it was originally used for farming. It is now managed as a nature reserve.

Approximately 4 miles of trails, which are a mixture of gravel and grass paths, provide access through the grasslands and scrub areas. At the end of the western section of the reserve is a bird hide which overlooks a lagoon which provides a valuable habitat for roosting and breeding water birds. The eastern section is part of Leigh National Nature Reserve where the saltmarsh is one of the best surviving in the Thames Estuary.

My last 2 visits to EWT Two Tree Island were both in April 2011 so a follow up visit was long overdue. During those previous visits there was a particularly showy Grasshopper Warbler, a normally skulking locustella warbler species that is very difficult to see even if you are able to hear its extraordinary continuous “reeling” song. Unfortunately, on this visit, I neither heard nor saw a Grasshopper Warbler. This is the bird that I photographed in April 2011 ....

Photo: “reeling” male Grasshopper Warbler

Whilst failing to record Grasshopper Warbler, I was able to see and/or hear 37 species, of which the highlights were as follows: Cuckoo (1 calling male seen plus 2 other calling males heard), Swift (5), Swallow (2), Common Whitethroat (16 singing males seen, at least 5 other singing males heard, 6 other birds seen ), Reed Warbler (1 singing male seen, at least 5 other singing males heard, 2 other birds seen), Blackcap (3 singing males seen plus at least 3 others heard), Chiffchaff (1 singing male heard plus at least 5 others heard), Cetti's Warbler (5 singing males heard), Reed Bunting (male), Sparrowhawk (female), Greenfinch (5), Avocet (10), Oystercatcher (11), Common Redshank (2), Dunlin (1), Common Tern (2), Mallard (12), Shelduck (2), Little Egret (1), Little Grebe (1), Canada Goose (8), Moorhen (7), Coot (5 including 1 juvenile)

The hide overlooking the lagoon provide the main photo opportunities, including a Common Whitethroat in the bushes right outside, whilst a very showy and noisy Reed Warbler also provided excellent photo opportunities from one of the hides in the western section.

Photo: Common Whitethroat

Photo: male Reed Warbler

Photo: male Reed Warbler

Photo: male Reed Warbler

Photo: male Reed Warbler

Photo: male Reed Warbler

Here are the rest of my photos from my visit ....

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Oystercatcher

Photo: Avocet

Photo: Avocet

Photo: Avocet

Photo: Black-headed Gulls

Photo: Black-headed Gulls

Photo: Black-headed Gulls

Photo: Black-headed Gull

Photo: Black-headed Gulls

Photo: male Mallard

Photo: male and female Mallard

Photo: Moorhen

Photo: Little Egret

Photo: view of Hadleigh Castle (English Heritage - Hadleigh Castle) from the western end of the reserve

Following my 3.5 hour walk of several miles around both the eastern and western sections, I made my way back to Leigh-on-Sea, specifically to The Crooked Billet in Leigh-On-Sea - Nicholson’s Pubs (nicholsonspubs.co.uk) for some well-earned Adnams real ale plus an excellent steak pie.

Slava Ukraini! …. Glory to Ukraine!

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature